Austrian Airlines Begins Short- and Medium-Haul Fleet Renewal with First Embraer 195 Retired
Austrian Airlines has taken a key step in renewing its short- and medium-haul fleet with the departure of its first Embraer 195. Flight EN9910 took off at 17:04 bound for Verona under registration I-ENJA, after receiving a special farewell from Austrian Technik. The aircraft had previously operated as OE-LWM, and this transfer marks the beginning of the already announced plan to modernize the company’s regional capacity.
According to the project, 17 units will progressively leave the current fleet: 13 will go to Air Dolomiti, while the remaining four will be sold starting in early 2026.
Closing a Chapter for an Iconic Aircraft
Stefan-Kenan Scheib, Chief Operations Officer of Austrian Airlines, highlighted the historical significance of this phase, noting that the retired Embraer provided “important service for many years” and thanked the team for the “quick, safe, and straightforward” transition.
The airline’s first Embraer 195 flew for the first time in January 2016, joining as a replacement for the Fokker aircraft. Each unit offers 120 seats, which at the time helped strengthen the European network.
The retired aircraft, known as “Whisky Mike,” accumulated 30,393 operating hours, of which 21,417 were flown for Austrian. Its scheduled service began on April 18, 2016, with a flight between Vienna and Stuttgart, becoming the fourth Embraer to join the fleet.
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Short- and Medium-Haul Modernization Advances
The plan envisages replacing the Embraer aircraft with six brand-new Airbus A320neos, each with 180 seats. The first will arrive in the summer of 2026, bringing the total number of Airbus aircraft in operation within the company to 46.
This transition is part of a broader program aimed at renewing and standardizing the regional fleet.
Parallel Evolution in the Long-Haul Network
The modernization process also extends to intercontinental routes. In 2024, Austrian added its first two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. Current planning includes adding ten additional units before the end of 2028.
This growth will allow the replacement and expansion of capacity currently provided by seven Boeing 777s and three Boeing 767s. The final result will be a long-haul fleet consisting of 12 aircraft.
A Simpler Fleet for More Efficient Operations
With the progressive retirement of the Embraer 195, scheduled for completion by the end of 2028, Austrian Airlines will reduce its current five aircraft families — Embraer 195, Airbus A320, Boeing 767, Boeing 777, and Boeing 787 — to just two:
- Airbus A320 for short- and medium-haul
- Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner for long-haul
The next Embraer will leave the airline in February 2026, continuing a project aimed at simplifying operations, optimizing maintenance, and strengthening its competitiveness.
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