Copyright: Austrian Airlines – Michele Pauty
Austrian Airlines have stepped up as the next carrier to retire its Fokker aircraft fleet (following KLM Cityhopper’s retirement last month).
Today, a special flight was operated by the last remaining Fokker 100 example in Austrian’s fleet, OE-LVE, taking in a circuit of Vienna Airport. It carried invited guests, employees and members of the Friends of Vienna Airport Association to bid farewell to the aircraft.
Austrian Airlines CEO Kay Kratky was also on board: “The Fokker jets were faithful companions over the last 29 years, and made a significant contribution towards the expansion of our dense route network in Central and Eastern Europe. However, the aircraft are getting on in years, and today we wanted to give the large fan community of our Fokker jets an opportunity to say a last Servus”.
Austrian Airlines first operated aircraft by the Dutch manufacturer when Fokker 50s joined the fleet in 1988. Subsequently both Fokker 70s and 100s were operated, but are now being replaced by modern Embraer aircraft which consume less fuel and have greater passenger comfort.
The last remaining Fokker 100 will be operated until the end of December 2017, and will mainly be deployed on routes to Geneva and Chisinau. A special ‘Fokker 1988-2017’ graphic has been applied to the aircraft for its final month of service.
