From 1 September 2002 onwards, the Austrian Airlines Group and Lufthansa
will introduce an attractive and more target group-oriented fare programme
From 1 September 2002 (bookable from 12 August 2002), the Star Alliance partners Austrian Airlines Group and Lufthansa will introduce a new and innovative fare concept for scheduled flights between Austria and Germany. Vagn Soerensen, Chief Executive Officer of the Austrian Airlines Group, said the following at the launch of the new offers: “When we received EU approval for our joint regional air traffic policy with Lufthansa, we told our customers that it would inevitably lead to more attractive offers on flights between Austria and the Federal Republic. Now, with the beginning of the second half of the business travel season and the onset of autumn city tours, we are making good this promise of lower fares!”
The fare programme is based upon a stronger concentration on sharply defined target groups and their travel needs in this market sector of crucial importance to the Austrian Airlines Group. The “Economy Special” and especially “Economy Flexible” fares represent very interesting alternatives price-wise to the regular “Business” fare, and allow a winning combination of more flexible time planning and lower prices. The “Weekender” and “Ad-hoc Weekender” are the fare variations of choice for the flexible weekend trip, whether for sightseeing or visiting relatives. The “Super Saver” is the top price offer for trips to Germany planned at least three weeks in advance.
The Chief Commercial Officer of Austrian Airlines Group, Dr. Josef E. Burger, had this to say about the conception of the fare programme for air traffic between Austria and Germany:
“With the new fare concept, we are pursuing a number of clear objectives:
1. beneficial price offers for the business traveller with greater time flexibility (and with it new linkage of traffic flows during periods of weaker demand);
2. new and highly attractive fares for the private traveller and city tourist (to build up mutual incoming tourism);
3. a convincing alternative to travel by rail and road in terms of both price and time (with the aim of winning additional market share).”
Asked about his commercial objectives, Dr. Burger summed these up as follows: “The programme is designed to produce a sustainable increase in tourist flows from Austria to Germany. We aim to increase local traffic by 7 %, primarily from the area of private and city travel. We are responding to the wish of the business traveller for more price options with a range of attractive new fare variations that allow both flexibility and planning. As a result, our new programme will also bring fresh traffic onto morning, early afternoon and evening flights.”
Business
The ticket at this fare is valid for one year. This fare offers the greatest possible travel flexibility without any restrictions. The upper baggage allowance limit is 30 kg.

Economy Special
*NEW* The alternative for the business traveller who doesn’t necessarily need the comfort of Business Class, but does want to be as flexible as possible. Tickets at this fare are valid for one year, although they must be booked and issued a minimum of three days before departure. Rebookings can be made at any time free of charge. Refunding of the ticket before departure is possible at a charge of € 75.
Ad hoc Economy
The stay at the destination must include a Saturday night. Maximum duration of stay is 1 month. Rebookings can be made at any time at a charge of € 150. Refunding of the ticket after it has been issued is possible at a charge of € 150.
Economy Flexible
*NEW* The value-for-money alternative for the business traveller that allows more flexible travel planning. Valid on flights from Monday to Friday with international departures from 10.00 - 15.30 and after 19.30 (i.e. departure to/from Germany must be in this time window, though not domestic feeder flights). On Saturdays, this fare is applicable on all flights. On Sundays, the fare is applicable on all flights with an international departure up to 15.30. Tickets must be booked and issued a minimum of five days before departure. The maximum duration of stay is 14 days. Rebookings before departure are possible at a charge of € 75. The charge for refunding before departure is € 75. An in-flight supplement may be possible to the Business fare.
Visitor
Tickets at this fare must be booked and issued a minimum of seven days before departure. The stay at the destination must include a Saturday night. The maximum duration of stay is 21 days. This fare can be rebooked before departure at a charge of € 75. Refunding of the ticket before departure is possible at a charge of € 75. An in-flight supplement may be possible to the Ad hoc Economy fare.
Weekender
The maximum duration of stay is five days. The stay at the destination must include a Saturday night. This fare cannot be rebooked, though it can be refunded before departure at a charge of € 75.

Explorer Young People & Students
Valid for young people up to the age of 24 inclusive, and students up to 26 inclusive. The stay at the destination must include a Saturday night. The ticket is valid for one year. Refunding or rebooking are possible at a charge of € 40.
Ad-hoc Weekender
This fare is only valid on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for the outgoing flight and on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays for the return flight. The maximum duration of stay is 10 days. The stay at the destination must include a Saturday night. This fare cannot be rebooked or refunded.

Super Saver
*NEW* Cheaper than a 2nd class rail ticket on many routes - and certainly much faster! Valid on flights from Monday to Friday with international departures from 10.00 - 15.30 and after 19.30. On Saturdays, this fare is applicable on all flights. On Sundays, the fare is valid on all flights with an international departure up to 15.30. Tickets at this fare must be booked and issued a minimum of 21 days before departure. The stay at the destination must include a Saturday night. The maximum duration of stay is 14 days. This fare cannot be rebooked or refunded.


These offers can be booked around the clock on 05 1789 if calling from inside Austria (charged at local rate), at a travel agency of your choice or via the internet at www.aua.com/ www.austrianairlines.com. Bookings can be made from Monday, 12 August 2002 onwards.
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