Austrian Airlines (OS, Vienna International (VIE)) is eyeing new long-haul routes to the US and the Far East as part of its ongoing restructuring plan. Among the new US routes being considered are: Boston General Edward Lawrence Logan International (BOS), San Francisco International (SFO) and Newark Liberty International (EWR) while the Far Eastern options include: Hong Kong Chep Lap Kok International (HKG), Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) with a switch from Tokyo Narita New Tokyo International (NRT) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) also a possibility given adequate slot availability. Austrian CCO, Karsten Benz, said that a decision on which new routes will be launched will be taken by the autumn.

Armavia (U8, Yerevan Zvartnots (EVN)) believes that the Armenian government's pending plans to further liberalize its skies by inviting foreign carriers such as Austrian Airlines (OS, Vienna International (VIE)), Alitalia (AZ, Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci International (FCO)), CSA Czech Airlines (OK, Prague Vaclav Havel Ruzyne (PRG)) and flydubai (FZ, Dubai International (DXB)) to freely use Yerevan Zvartnots (EVN) will prove disastrous for the country's home-grown aviation scene in the long run. During a recent meeting of the country's National Council in Yerevan in which a possible financial bailout of the bankrupt carrier was discussed at both Ministerial and Presidential level, the Armenian Department of Civil Aviation proposed a deregulation of the country's skies in order to help improve regional and international connectivity, as well as make air travel more accessible, a move the airline said would have a devastating impact on domestic operators if implemented.

Austrian Airlines (OS, Vienna International (VIE)) is reportedly considering starting flights to South America. Austrian's CEO, Jaan Albrecht, said the arrival of a fifth B777-200 next year in Summer has once more piqued the Star Alliance member's interest in the South American market, especially during the European winter season, but that any flights would depend on the validity of traffic rights which it inherited from Lauda Air (NG, Vienna International (VIE)). Austrian's once prolific international network was curtailed in 2006 when it disposed of its four A330-200s and two A340-300s in order to focus on the short/medium haul markets. However, with a growing fleet of B777-200s and B767-300s, the airline is once again seeking to expand its long-haul market presence, with added US and Asian destinations also on the cards in the year to come.

Austrian Airlines (OS, Vienna International (VIE)) is to lease an additional B777-200, it's fifth, for use in expanding it's international network after the Supervisory Board of Lufthansa (LH, Frankfurt International (FRA)) approved the move. Valued at EUR33million, the aircraft is due to begin flights in Summer next year on an 8-year contract. While no specific markets or destinations have been identified, Austrian Airlines Chief Executive Officer Jaan Albrecht was quoted as saying “the long-haul market has growth potential, particularly destinations in Asia and North America. In this way we will secure our long-term competitiveness at the Vienna flight hub.”

Austrian Airlines (OS, Vienna International (VIE)) will join Alitalia (AZ, Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci International (FCO)), CSA Czech Airlines (OK, Prague Vaclav Havel Ruzyne (PRG)) and possibly flydubai (FZ, Dubai International (DXB)) in increasing their frequencies to Yerevan Zvartnots (EVN) following the collapse of Armavia (U8, Yerevan Zvartnots (EVN)). According to Armenia International Airports, the company responsible for managing the airport, an agreement has been made in which Austrian would increase its Vienna International (VIE) flights to seven weekly, CSA Czech Airlines its flights to Prague Vaclav Havel Ruzyne (PRG) to seven weekly, Alitalia its flights to Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci International (FCO) to thrice weekly and flyDubai its Dubai International (DXB) flights to daily. Additionally, LOT Polish Airlines (LO, Warsaw Fryderyk Chopin (WAW)) is to resume service to Warsaw Fryderyk Chopin (WAW) in June.