Niki Lauda-founded airline to double fleet following completion of Ryanair deal
Austrian low-cost airline Laudamotion is to double its Airbus fleet following the completion of Ryanair's purchase of 75 per cent of the Niki Lauda-founded carrier.
Laudamotion said it will bolster its fleet from nine to 18 next summer. Alongside this, it also announced the opening of new office in Vienna and pilot pay increases and basic pay guarantees.
Ryanair has been plagued with its own troubles with pilots and cabin crew, who have been striking over pay and working conditions. The spat led to hundreds of cancellations for Ryanair customers looking to get away from the summer holidays.
Laudamotion’s CEO, 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 per cent 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 per cent in 2019 to 5m guests p.a. We look forward to offering even more low fare choices to Austrian and German customers.”
Ryanair agreed to buy a majority stake in the airline founded by Formula One champion Lauda back in March, after he derailed British Airways' owner IAG's attempt to acquire it.