Austrian Airlines Ends Wet Lease Agreement with Braathens Unexpectedly
Austrian Airlines announced on December 15, 2025, that it is terminating its wet lease agreement with Swedish carrier Braathens Regional Airlines immediately.
This abrupt decision comes after Braathens failed to clear an operational audit. Austrian Airlines stated that the Swedish operator does not satisfy the operational benchmarks set by the Lufthansa Group.
Since February 2024, Braathens had been managing several short-haul routes from Vienna (VIE) on behalf of the Austrian flag carrier.
The existing wet lease contract allowed Braathens to supply both aircraft and crew for specific services of Austrian Airlines. This arrangement had been in effect since 2024. Austrian Airlines had turned to Braathens for assistance due to the need for smaller aircraft on feeder routes where demand was insufficient for the Embraer E195, the smallest model in its fleet.
Under this framework, routes from Vienna to Belgrade (BEG), Bologna (BLQ), Graz (GRZ), Klagenfurt (KLU), Košice (KSC), Leipzig (LEJ), Warsaw (WAW), and Zagreb (ZAG) were partially or fully operated by Braathens ATR72-600 turboprop aircraft.
Data from ch-aviation indicates that as of December 16, 2025, Braathens maintains an active fleet of 16 ATR72-600 turboprop aircraft. The firm also had a subsidiary, Braathens International Airways, which once operated Airbus jets but entered bankruptcy proceedings in September 2025.
In response to the contract cancellation, Austrian Airlines is actively seeking alternatives to minimize disruption to its flight schedule.
How do you think this decision will impact air travel options in the region?
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