The first Airbus A320neo in the Austrian Airlines fleet, the "Donau-Auen", was officially presented to the public on Tuesday. In an in-house competition, a co-pilot's proposal to name the four neos after Austrian national parks prevailed.

It has been a long time since Austrian Airlines invited to the hangar for the christening of a brand-new aircraft. On Tuesday the time had come, because the board members and Economics Minister Martin Kocher christened the OE-LZN “Donau-Auen”. The second Airbus A320neo will arrive at Vienna-Schwechat Airport as early as next week.

The hangar event, which was sponsored by a brewery, among others, was also intended to symbolize the spirit of optimism in which AUA finds itself. After all: For the first time in many years, a brand-new aircraft has been received. According to board member Michael Trestl, this will initially be used primarily in the London-Heathrow direction. The “neo route network” is to be gradually expanded. It is currently assumed that up to six daily circulations will be possible with this pattern.

Company boss Annette Mann emphasized, among other things, that the four new additions also mean that Austrian Airlines is expanding again after the fleet reduction, which was decided under its predecessor. Upon completion of the phase-in, the carrier will operate 65 aircraft. What comes next? That is still completely open, because Austrian Airlines has traditionally been particularly cautious about it.

The OE-LZN was taken over "naked" by Austrian Airlines. According to board member Francesco Sciortino, the company's own technical operation brought the machine up to the AUA standard and installed the seats, among other things. The manager explained that the second A320neo is completing its check flight in Toulouse and is expected to arrive in Vienna-Schwechat next week.

The Airbus A320neo was christened “Donau-Auen” by the AUA board members and Economics Minister Martin Kocher. The background is that the idea of ​​a co-pilot prevailed from 280 employee suggestions. During the competition, the pilot suggested that the four Airbus A320neos should bear the names of Austrian national parks.

Some impressions of the OE-LZN in the AUA hangar in the slide show below:

More photos are Photos provided under this link at Aviation.Direct.