Air Berlin capacity utilization up to 75% in January

Air Berlin A330-200. By Rob Finlayson

Air Berlin (AB) has increased its capacity utilization rate for January to 75%, up 2.6 percentage points, compared to 72% in the year-ago month. AB, which attributed the results to its efficiency-increasing program “Shape & Size,” has reduced capacity by 14.4%. According to AB, the number of passengers transported decreased by 11.3%, from 2.14 million passengers in January 2011 to 1.9 million passengers in January 2012.

Shape & Size, which was implemented in September 2011, is expected to reduce AB’s fleet size by 10% and improve earnings by €200 million ($261.8 million) (ATW Daily News, Sept. 23). The carrier is targeting a profit in 2013.

Separately, AB said that as part of its strategic partnership with Etihad Airways (EY), it is launching daily Dusseldorf (DUS)-Abu Dhabi (AUH) services March 25. EY will also operate this route daily from summer 2012. Berlin Tegel-AUH flights will increase from 4X weekly to daily from March 25.

“By adding new daily connections from Berlin and Dusseldorf to Abu Dhabi, we are reinforcing our hubs and strengthening our strategic partnership with Etihad,” CEO Hartmut Mehdorn said in a statement.