How does the Vienna hub fit into the Lufthansa Group's strategy?
Benjamin Lanier - Each hub - Lufthansa in Frankfurt and Munich, Swiss in Zurich and our own in Vienna - is an essential part of the product offered to travellers, especially business travellers. Connections are easy, with the minimum journey time to Vienna being just 25 minutes. On a human scale, Vienna airport offers all the qualities a business traveller could expect, including six lounges in the Schengen and non-Schengen zones. Visit Free Wi-Fi throughout the airport is a real plus for being able to work while waiting for the departure.
Is Austrian Airlines still seen as the specialist for Central Europe and the Middle East?
B. L. - Of course, we are maintaining our strong focus on Central and Eastern Europe and adapting to the geopolitical situation in the Middle East. For example, we are maintaining destinations such as Erbil and we are expanding in Iran with the introduction of a second daily flight to Teheran. But we are also continuing our return to long-haul international routes, notably with the doubling of flights to New York with Newark in addition to JFK. We are strengthening our offer in China with theopening of Shanghai since April and from September of Hong Kong.
Are you switching to the business market?
B. L. - Our company has always remained geared towards business travellers with a commitment to a high level of service, both on board and on the ground, while offering an attractive pricing policy. The professionalism of our crews is widely recognised, as is our characteristic Austrian hospitality. In addition, we have invested several tens of millions of euros in the overhaul of our medium- and short-haul cabinsWe also offer a seat-bed nearly two metres long in Business. Another plus: our in-flight chef, who adds the finishing touch to the menus prepared by our partner DO&CO.
