Air Dolomiti: Italian reliability
The Italian-based Lufthansa subsidiary Air Dolomiti is preparing to expand its fleet from 12 to 17 regional aircraft over the next two years - possibly even to 26 by 2024.
President and CEO Jörg Eberhart explained further details in an interview with Connoisseur Circle during a special flight along the Cote Azur. "We will integrate two to three aircraft per year. This is an ambitious project for an airline of our size, also in terms of recruiting personnel," said Eberhart. You need 12 pilots per aircraft. For the five
aircraft will require an additional 30 to 35 technicians, as well as 90 flight attendants and up to 20 administrative staff. The larger fleet should enable Air Dolomiti to increase frequencies on existing routes and operate flights within the Lufthansa network, where E195-size aircraft are required. "We
also have the possibility of getting nine more Embraer 190s, but this is not yet confirmed," said Eberhart. "These aircraft could join our fleet by 2024. A decision on whether we need these nine aircraft could possibly be made this year." Furthermore, a fleet of the future for Air Dolomiti could be found in the 150-seat segment, meaning aircraft such as Embraer E2 or
Airbus A220. Air Dolomiti mainly flies feeder routes from various Italian destinations to the Munich and Frankfurt hubs. Thirty percent of our passengers travel point-to-point, 70% change planes at the hubs. Air Dolomiti is well integrated into the Lufthansa concept. Our cost structure is significantly lower than that of Lufthansa, says Eberhart, a fact that will probably keep the Air Dolomiti brand alive. Because if Lufthansa's subsidiaries are successful, they will probably also have their raison d'être. Over 90% of Air Dolomiti's flights begin or end at a Lufthansa hub. Air Dolomiti carried 2.3 million passengers in 2018. "I think an increase to 2.5 million passengers could be possible in 2019," said Eberhart.
(c) Kurt Hofmann
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