Austrian low-cost carrier Laudamotion will double its Airbus fleet from nine to 18 aircraft in Summer 2019 following the completion of Ryanair’s purchase of 75 per cent shareholding in the carrier from Niki Lauda in August.
Laudamotion has also announced a series of initiatives to support the carrier’s continued growth, which include confirmed delivery dates for nine additional Airbus A320 aircraft for summer 2019.
A new aircraft livery (below) will also be launched which reflects the airline’s Austrian heritage and new Vienna offices will be opened which it said will “accommodate more, high paid, high quality jobs”.
Laudamotion will also increase pilots pay including basic pay guarantees, roll-out a stable winter roster five days on, three days off (a bank holiday every weekend) and has appointed Christian Euler Rolle as the new personal director.
Speaking in Vienna today, Laudamotion’s chief executive officer, Andreas Gruber said: “Laudamotion now faces the future with great confidence, backed by the enormous financial strength of Ryanair, our new majority shareholder and Europe’s largest airline.
“Laudamotion has already achieved load factors over 90% in its first summer season, thanks to the efforts of over 500 Laudamotion colleagues. These 9 additional 2019 Airbus deliveries ensure that Laudamotion will grow again by at least 20% in 2019 to 5m guests p.a. We look forward to offering even more low fare choices to Austrian and German customers.”
Ryanair’s chief commercial officer, David O’Brien added: “Ryanair is pleased to complete the purchase of a 75% shareholding in Laudamotion GmbH from Niki Lauda and his team. We applaud the extraordinary work of Niki Lauda, Andreas Gruber and all the Laudamotion team in the face of very difficult market circumstances and unfair competitor activity to deliver this flying programme this summer, which has provided low fares for the first time ever on over 53 routes.
“We look forward to fulfilling Niki Lauda’s vision of Laudamotion as Austria’s No. 1 low fare airline and providing competition and choice to the high fare airlines which have for too long fleeced Austrian and German consumers/visitors. We also wish Niki a very speedy recovery and look forward to welcoming him back as soon as possible.”
