On a market where the competition is tightening, airline operators, both traditional and low-cost ones are racing for a bigger market share. Companies have increased flights frequency from and to Romania, implementing new destinations, and keeping the ticket prices low in the context of a skyrocketing fuel price.

Once the economic development of Central and Eastern Europe, Austrian Airline focused on this area, the flag carrier of Austria operates schedules services to 48 destinations in this area. “Our actual strategy is very much based on secondary markets, thus opening new economic regions in Eastern Europe, the main target of foreign direct investments and of corporate relocations,” Viorel Nica, sales support & marketing manager of the company stated to Wall-Street.

If Central and Eastern European market is a landmark for Austrian Airlines, Romania is therefore, one of the most important destinations in the area, Austria being one of the biggest foreign investor in Romania. “At present we operate schedule services to 6 destinations in Romania, Bucharest, Baia Mare, Timisoara, Cluj, Iasi and Sibiu, accounting for 65 weekly flights that link Romania to our hub in Vienna,” he added.

Of all six destinations in Romania of Austrian Airlines, the company commenced services to Baia Mare in April 21 with three flights a week. “The reasons why we started services to Baia Mare as our sixth flight destination in Romania are the following: this city has become a very important center in car industry, and its location near Satu Mare, a major target for Austrian investments,” Austrian Airlines representative said.

According to him, the 73.7% growth of fuel price, the fierce competition with low-cost segment together with economic crisis are the main factors that make 2008 a very challenging year. ”If in first quarter 2008, costs on fuel rose 19% compare