Austrian Airlines to deploy spare capacity to Dubai during the winter months 

On September 3, 2025, Austrian Airlines announced its return to Dubai using Airbus A320neo narrowbody aircraft. 

Running from December 1, 2025, until March 2026, the Austrian flag carrier will operate a five-weekly nonstop service between its hub in Vienna (VIE) and Dubai International Airport (DXB). 

At least initially, these flights will run for the period of three months, since Austrian Airlines sees the launch of this new route primarily as a commercial experiment. The carrier has even labeled the new service publicly as a ‘Winter trial’.  

The carrier’s plan is to test this new route by deploying some of the spare capacity it has during the winter months. Austrian Airlines’ CEO, Annette Mann, explained the rationale for the new service in the press release announcing its launch: 

“An aircraft in the air is always better than one on the ground – and at the same time, we want to offer our guests a compelling deal. We understand this route comes with strong and very comfortable competition. But by deploying aircraft that would otherwise be idle during winter, we can afford to take a bold step, try something new, and challenge the market.” 

What’s more, the aircraft assigned to this route will be operating mostly during the European night hours. The Dubai-bound flight will leave Vienna at 18.55 in the evening, arriving in Dubai at 3.40am. The return flight will leave Dubai at 6.05am and arrive in Vienna at 9.25am (all times local). 

Austrian Airlines is marketing this route as an option for price-conscious travelers, offering return fares from €314 return under the ‘Dubai Deal’ promotional slogan. 

The airline is testing the waters by using an Airbus A32neo aircraft with 180 seats on this route, rather than a widebody aircraft. In doing so, Austrian Airlines joins an increasing number of airlines, such as airBaltic, ITA Airways, Aegean Airlines and Wizz Air, that are deploying narrowbody aircraft on services between Europe and Dubai. The post Austrian Airlines to deploy spare capacity to Dubai during the winter months  appeared first on AeroTime.

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