Lauda
Lauda, formerly branded Laudamotion, was an Austrian low-cost airline that became a wholly owned Ryanair Holdings subsidiary before ceasing operations in 2020.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Lauda was an Austrian airline whose legal name was Laudamotion GmbH. It began in 2004 as Amira Air, a charter operator established by investor Ronny Pecik to provide executive and business aviation services to European and international destinations. The company changed direction after former Formula One world champion Niki Lauda acquired it in 2016. Lauda initially retained a business-aviation role, operating chartered flights with business jets, but it was reorganized in preparation for scheduled passenger operations. The decisive transformation came in early 2018, when Lauda's company acquired the assets and operating platform of Niki, the insolvent leisure airline previously founded by Niki Lauda. The Niki brand was retired, and the aircraft and scheduled-flight activity were transferred to Laudamotion. The enlarged airline planned to operate Airbus aircraft on leisure and short-haul routes from Austria, Germany, Switzerland and other European markets. Early commercial arrangements included cooperation with Condor for sales, marketing and selected operational functions, although that relationship ended ahead of schedule. A short-lived cooperation with Eurowings also ended in 2018. Ryanair became the airline's strategic and financial backer during its launch as a scheduled carrier. In March 2018, Ryanair announced an initial minority investment with an intention to increase its stake, subject to regulatory approval. The investment was presented as support for fleet expansion, startup costs and the development of a European low-cost network. Ryanair increased its holding to 75 percent in August 2018 and completed the acquisition of the remaining shares in late December 2018. Under Ryanair ownership, the airline pursued an Airbus-centered fleet strategy, expanded or planned bases in several European cities, and changed its public brand from Laudamotion to Lauda in March 2019. Lauda's business model focused on scheduled low-cost passenger flights, particularly leisure-oriented services linking German-speaking markets with Mediterranean destinations. Its network included routes associated with destinations such as Mallorca, Ibiza and Málaga, while Vienna remained an important operating location. The airline also announced plans for a base at Zadar in Croatia, but the project was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The crisis intensified financial, operational and labor pressures across the Ryanair group. Lauda announced the planned closure of its largest base at Vienna in May 2020, while disputes concerning employment terms and the future structure of the operation involved the company, employees, unions and the Austrian government. In June 2020, Ryanair shifted Lauda's flights to Ryanair's FR flight code and used the airline primarily as an internal wet-lease operator. This reduced Lauda's independent commercial identity, although some services remained associated with the Lauda brand because of traffic-rights considerations. Ryanair also cancelled the remaining Airbus A320-family orders that had been intended for Lauda. The Stuttgart base was scheduled to close in 2020 after employees rejected a new labor agreement, and the Düsseldorf operation was also wound down during the autumn. Laudamotion GmbH ceased operations on 31 October 2020. Its aircraft and operational activity were transferred to Lauda Europe, a Malta-based Ryanair group company. Lauda therefore became a defunct airline rather than a continuing independent consumer brand. Its legacy within the Ryanair group is tied to the acquisition of Niki's operating platform, the rapid deployment of an Austrian Airbus-based low-cost carrier, and the eventual consolidation of that activity into a different group subsidiary.
History
Lauda began in 2004 as Amira Air, an Austrian charter airline founded by investor Ronny Pecik. Its original business concentrated on executive and business aviation rather than mass-market scheduled flights. The company operated business jets for charter customers across European and international destinations. Niki Lauda acquired Amira Air in February 2016 and renamed it LaudaMotion. Until early 2018, the company continued to operate chartered business flights. Its strategic direction changed after the insolvency of Niki, the leisure airline originally founded by Lauda. On 23 January 2018, creditors approved the sale of Niki to Lauda Motion GmbH. The Niki name was retired, and its aircraft and operating platform were used to establish a scheduled passenger airline under the Laudamotion identity. The new carrier planned to operate approximately 15 aircraft and launch services for the 2018 summer season. During the launch period, Laudamotion established commercial and operational relationships with other European airlines. Condor agreed to support sales and marketing for selected aircraft and routes, including services connecting German airports and Basel with popular Spanish destinations. Condor ended the arrangement earlier than planned in April 2018. A separate cooperation with Eurowings also ended in 2018, with the associated wet-lease arrangement concluding on 31 May. Ryanair entered the business in March 2018, announcing an initial 24.9 percent stake and an intention to increase its holding to 75 percent. The transaction was linked to the funding of startup and operating costs and to an expansion plan based on an Airbus fleet. Laudamotion announced several German bases in addition to Vienna and Zurich, although the proposed Zurich routes were later abandoned because suitable leased aircraft were unavailable. Ryanair increased its stake to 75 percent in August 2018 and subsequently completed the purchase of the remaining shares in late December 2018. Under Ryanair ownership, the airline expanded its network and fleet plans. It targeted growth from nine aircraft to 18, then to 25 aircraft by the end of 2019 and 40 by summer 2020. The carrier initially remained focused on Airbus aircraft even though Ryanair's main fleet was Boeing-based. In March 2019, the public brand was simplified from Laudamotion to Lauda. Lauda also announced a planned fifth base at Zadar Airport in Croatia, but the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the proposal. The pandemic accelerated the airline's integration into Ryanair's operating structure. In May 2020, Lauda announced plans to close its Vienna base, creating a dispute over employment conditions and the future of the Austrian operation. In June, Ryanair placed Lauda services under its own FR flight code and used Lauda primarily for wet-lease flying. Ryanair also cancelled the remaining Airbus A320-family orders intended for the company. Lauda's Stuttgart base was scheduled for closure after staff rejected a new labor agreement, while the Düsseldorf operation was also closed during the autumn. Laudamotion GmbH ceased operating on 31 October 2020. Its aircraft and operations were transferred to Lauda Europe, a Malta-based Ryanair group airline. The original Lauda company consequently became defunct, having evolved from a small business-aviation operator into a scheduled low-cost carrier and finally into an integrated wet-lease platform within Ryanair Holdings.
- 2020
Operations move to Ryanair code
[1]Lauda flights begin operating under Ryanair flight numbers, reducing the airline's independent commercial role.
- 2020
Laudamotion ceases operations
[1]The company stops operating on 31 October and transfers its activity to Lauda Europe.
- 2019
Brand changes to Lauda
[1]The airline changes its public brand name from Laudamotion to Lauda.
- 2018
Niki operation acquired
[1]Lauda Motion GmbH acquires the insolvent Niki airline platform and prepares scheduled passenger operations.
- 2018
Ryanair becomes majority owner
[1]Ryanair increases its stake in Laudamotion to 75 percent.
- 2018
Ryanair completes acquisition
[1]Ryanair completes the purchase of the remaining Laudamotion shares in late December.
- 2016
Niki Lauda takes control
[1]Niki Lauda acquires Amira Air and renames it LaudaMotion.
- 2004
Amira Air is founded
[1]Ronny Pecik establishes Amira Air in Austria as a charter provider for executive and business aviation.
Products and positioning
A low-cost European airline offering affordable scheduled short-haul and leisure flights, with an Airbus-based fleet and strong integration into the Ryanair group.
Airline services · 2018
Scheduled low-cost passenger flights
Lauda's principal consumer offering was scheduled short-haul air travel at low fares. The network focused on European city pairs and leisure destinations, particularly routes linking German-speaking markets with Spain and other Mediterranean locations. Services were operated with Airbus aircraft and later increasingly integrated into Ryanair's commercial and operational systems.
Business aviation · 2004
Executive charter flights
Before its conversion into a scheduled airline, Amira Air and later LaudaMotion provided chartered executive and business aviation using business jets. This activity served private and corporate travelers rather than the mass-market passengers associated with the later low-cost airline model.
Aircraft operations · 2020
Wet-lease operations
In its final phase, Lauda supplied aircraft and operating capacity within the Ryanair group. From June 2020, flights were placed under Ryanair's FR code, making Lauda primarily an internal wet-lease operator rather than a separately marketed airline.
Brand decisions
2020
Convert Lauda into an internal wet-lease operatorStrategyBackground
The COVID-19 pandemic and disputes over base economics and employment conditions forced Ryanair to reconsider Lauda's independent operating structure.
Action taken
Ryanair moved Lauda flights to its FR flight code, cancelled remaining Airbus orders for the airline and used Lauda increasingly for wet-lease operations.
Aftermath
Lauda lost much of its independent airline identity and ceased operations at the end of October 2020.
2019
Simplify the consumer brand to LaudaStrategyBackground
Following its integration into Ryanair Holdings, the airline sought a simpler public identity connected to the Lauda name.
Action taken
The public brand was changed from Laudamotion to Lauda.
Aftermath
The Lauda identity remained in use until operations were consolidated into Lauda Europe in 2020.
2018
Acquire the Niki airline platformM&ABackground
The insolvency of Niki created an opportunity for Lauda Motion GmbH to obtain aircraft, routes and operating infrastructure for a scheduled airline launch.
Action taken
Lauda Motion GmbH acquired Niki's operating platform, retired the Niki brand and transferred the activity into Laudamotion.
Aftermath
The transaction transformed the company from a business-jet charter operator into a European scheduled low-cost carrier.
2018
Join the Ryanair groupM&ABackground
Laudamotion required capital, aircraft and network support while developing its scheduled low-cost operation.
Action taken
Ryanair first acquired a minority interest, increased its stake to 75 percent in August, and completed the purchase of the remaining shares later that year.
Aftermath
Laudamotion became a wholly owned Ryanair Holdings subsidiary and pursued larger fleet and base plans under group ownership.
Recent events
- 2020
Lauda announces Vienna base closure amid labor dispute[1]
Leadership change · Other
The airline announced plans to close its largest base at Vienna International Airport, prompting conflict involving the company, employees, unions and the Austrian government.
- 2020
Ryanair moves Lauda flights to its own flight code[1]
Other
From June 2020, Lauda flights were operated under Ryanair's FR code and Lauda increasingly functioned as an internal wet-lease operator.
- 2020
Laudamotion operations transferred to Lauda Europe[1]
M&A
Laudamotion ceased operations at the end of October, with its fleet and activity transferred to Malta-based Lauda Europe.
- 2019
Laudamotion adopts the Lauda brand[1]
Other
The airline changed its public-facing name from Laudamotion to Lauda while remaining part of the Ryanair group.
- 2018
Laudamotion acquires Niki's airline operation[1]
M&A
A creditors' committee approved the sale of the insolvent Niki airline to Lauda Motion GmbH, enabling Laudamotion to enter scheduled passenger aviation with Niki aircraft and operations.
- 2018
Ryanair announces investment and planned takeover of Laudamotion[1]
M&A
Ryanair announced an initial minority investment and a plan to increase its ownership, subject to European regulatory approval.
Sources1 sources
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