Austrian Airlines plans two more Gulf flights

Dubai: Austrian Airlines has announced a 2008 target increase in passenger load of 39.7 per cent in the Gulf by introducing flights to two new destinations in the Middle East.

The airline served 10.8 million passengers in 2006. Karim El Sanadily, regional manager for the Gulf region, Lebanon and Afghan-istan, said that "we'll be announcing new destinations in the Gulf region next month."

Austrian Airlines will also start flights to new destinations in eastern Europe, including Sochi, Nizhniy Novgorod, Bourgas, Tallin and Astana, in April.

A new daytime service will be launched between Vienna and Dubai on November 13 using a Boeing 737-800. From March 16, 2009, the service will make use of the upgraded Airbus A320.

"To adjust with the development of the UAE, we're introducing a new fleet of A320s in September. There'll be 24 seats in business class and 210 economy seats. Now there are only 16 seats in business," said El Sanadily.

As part of celebrating 50 years in service, El Sanadily said there would be "lots of nice surprises coming".

From March 1, Austrian Airlines will introduce a complimentary chauffeur service to and from Dubai airport, for all tickets purchased in the UAE. Another project, also due to begin in March, is the Austrian Business Jet, a private jet service aimed at business executives.

Figures show that of the 25 million tourists who visited Austria in 2007, the third-ranking place of origin was the Gulf.