Ryanair buys the majority of the low-cost airline founded by Niki Lauda. This was announced by the same company led by Michael O'Leary.
Last winter, the former Formula 1 champion had bought back the carrier he founded, called "Niki", from Air Berlin, which had now gone bankrupt, and had set up a new company renamed Laudamotion based in Vienna.
In detail, the corporate reorganization envisages that Lauda will sell Ryanair 75% of the company's capital for around 50 million euros. "Ryanair is pleased to have completed the acquisition of 75% of Laudamotion," explained today David Obrien, commercial director of the Irish carrier.
Based on what was announced, by the summer of 2019 the Irish carrier will double the Laudamotion fleet, bringing it from 9 to 18 aircraft in order to support the "continuous growth" of the group.
Laudamotion currently offers flights from Germany, Switzerland and Austria to 42 destinations, mainly Mediterranean tourist destinations. The airline also announced an increase in the salary treatment of pilots with a basic salary of 90.000 euros a year for a captain, ie 12.000 euros more than competitor Eurowings according to the Austrian carrier.
The agreement also provides for the introduction of a stable plan of five consecutive days of service followed by three days of leave.
Niki Lauda will remain in the group as chairman of the board. Lauda is still hospitalized in Vienna after undergoing an emergency lung transplant in August. Obrien said the Laudamotion team hopes to find him "as soon as possible" wishing him a speedy recovery.
