Laudamotion, Austria’s No. 1 low fare airline, today (Wed, 29^th Aug) announced that it would double its Airbus fleet from 9 to 18 aircraft in Summer 2019 following the completion of Ryanair’s purchase of 75% shareholding in Laudamotion GmbH from Niki Lauda in August.

Laudamotion also announced a series of initiatives to support Laudamotion’s continued growth, which include:

• Confirmed delivery dates for 9 additional Airbus A320 aircraft for Summer 2019
• A new aircraft livery which reflects Laudamotion’s Austrian heritage
• New Vienna offices to accommodate more, high paid, high quality jobs
• Pilot pay increases and basic pay guarantees
  • Guaranteed Captain starting basic pay of €90,000 p.a.,
    (higher than Wizz €56k, Level €72k and Eurowings €78k)
  • Up to €180,000 total Capt pay p.a. including flight pay/allowances
  • Guaranteed First Officer starting basic pay of €46,000k p.a.,
    (higher than Wizz €26k, Level €38k and Eurowings €44k)
  • Up to €70k total First Officer pay p.a. including flight pay
• Roll out of a stable winter roster 5 days on, 3 days off (a bank holiday every weekend)
• A new Personnel Director Christian Euler Rolle who starts on 1^st Sept 2018.

Speaking in Vienna today, 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% 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.”