Level Europe
A former Austrian short-haul airline operated by Vueling under IAG's LEVEL brand.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Level Europe GmbH was an Austrian short-haul airline associated with Vueling and, through Vueling, with International Airlines Group (IAG). It operated flights under the LEVEL brand from Vienna International Airport and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. Although the carrier existed as a legal and operating subsidiary of Vueling, LEVEL was the customer-facing brand used for the airline's European low-cost operations. The company was established in November 2017 under the name Anisec Luftfahrt. Its creation was connected with IAG's plans for an Austrian operation following the collapse of Niki, the Austrian leisure airline that had previously been part of the Air Berlin group. The original concept was reportedly to use a Vueling Austria identity if IAG acquired relevant Niki assets. Instead, IAG later decided that the Austrian operation would fly under the LEVEL name, extending the group's recently introduced low-cost brand into short-haul European markets. IAG announced in June 2018 that the airline would receive four Airbus A321 aircraft formerly used by Air Berlin. Level Europe's first flight took place on 17 July 2018 from Vienna. During its initial launch period, the airline opened routes from Vienna to a range of European destinations, with additional services introduced through August 2018. The model focused on relatively low-fare point-to-point passenger transportation rather than a traditional full-service network. Short-haul flights operated by the company did not earn Avios points through the frequent-flyer programs associated with IAG's other airlines. In 2019, IAG expanded Level Europe's role by announcing a new base at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. The Amsterdam operation began in April 2019 and was planned around seven routes, using three Airbus A320 aircraft transferred from Vueling. This gave the airline two operating bases and positioned it as a platform for LEVEL-branded European routes in addition to its Vienna network. By the time the airline closed, it was reported to serve 18 destinations on behalf of the LEVEL brand. The company adopted the name Level Europe in late December 2019, replacing Anisec Luftfahrt. The rebranding aligned the legal entity more closely with the consumer-facing LEVEL identity, while the airline remained part of the Vueling and IAG corporate structure. The business was severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated collapse in European air travel demand. Its aircraft were grounded and operations were suspended in March 2020. Level Europe did not resume normal commercial operations. On 18 June 2020, it announced that it would cease business activities immediately and enter insolvency proceedings. The closure ended the Austrian carrier's short operating history after less than two years of passenger service.
History
Level Europe originated as Anisec Luftfahrt, an Austrian airline established by Vueling in November 2017. Its formation followed IAG's interest in creating an Austrian operating platform after Niki ceased trading. The initial plan contemplated a Vueling Austria operation, but IAG ultimately selected its LEVEL brand for the new carrier. In June 2018, IAG disclosed that the company would operate four Airbus A321 aircraft previously used by Air Berlin. The aircraft were intended for a Vienna-based network of European routes. The airline's first flight took place on 17 July 2018, and further destinations were added during the initial launch period through August. Level Europe's commercial proposition was a low-cost, short-haul service operating under the shared LEVEL identity rather than a conventional Vueling-branded network. The airline expanded in 2019 when IAG announced a base at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. The base began operating in April with seven planned routes and three Airbus A320 aircraft transferred from Vueling. Alongside Vienna, Amsterdam became a principal operating location for LEVEL-branded short-haul services. At closure, the carrier was reported to operate to 18 destinations. In late December 2019, Anisec Luftfahrt was renamed Level Europe. The change reflected the company's role within the LEVEL brand architecture and made its legal name consistent with its market identity. The airline remained owned by Vueling and ultimately controlled by IAG. The COVID-19 pandemic brought the company's operations to a halt. Its fleet was grounded and its services were suspended in March 2020 amid travel restrictions and the collapse in demand for European air transport. Level Europe did not return to scheduled service. On 18 June 2020, it announced that it would cease operations immediately and enter insolvency proceedings. The company therefore had a brief operating life, beginning passenger service in 2018 and ending during the aviation crisis of 2020.
- 2020
Operations suspended
[1]The airline grounds its fleet and suspends operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 2020
Insolvency and closure
[1]Level Europe ceases business activity and enters insolvency proceedings on 18 June.
- 2019
Amsterdam Schiphol base opens
[1]The airline adds Amsterdam as a base for LEVEL-branded European routes, using aircraft transferred from Vueling.
- 2019
Corporate name changes to Level Europe
[1]Anisec Luftfahrt changes its legal name to Level Europe in late December.
- 2018
LEVEL brand selected for Austrian operation
[1]IAG announces that the Austrian airline will operate under the LEVEL brand with four Airbus A321 aircraft.
- 2018
First commercial flight
[1]Level Europe's first flight takes place from Vienna International Airport on 17 July.
- 2017
Anisec Luftfahrt is established
[1]Vueling establishes Anisec Luftfahrt as an Austrian airline subsidiary intended to support a future Vienna operation.
Products and positioning
Low-cost carrier
Air transportation · 2018
European short-haul passenger flights
Level Europe's core offering was scheduled passenger transportation within Europe. The carrier operated point-to-point routes from Vienna and later Amsterdam under the LEVEL brand, using Airbus A320-family aircraft and a low-cost operating model. Its services were designed for passengers seeking relatively low fares rather than the bundled services typically associated with full-service network airlines.
Air transportation · 2018
Vienna-based LEVEL network
The Vienna operation was Level Europe's initial commercial network. It launched in July 2018 with Airbus A321 aircraft and connected the Austrian capital with European destinations. The network formed the original operating base of the carrier before the later expansion to Amsterdam.
Air transportation · 2019
Amsterdam-based LEVEL network
The Amsterdam base began in April 2019 as the airline's second operating platform. It was planned around seven routes and used Airbus A320 aircraft transferred from Vueling. The base broadened LEVEL's European short-haul presence before the company shut down in 2020.
Brand decisions
2020
Cease operations and enter insolvencyOtherBackground
The COVID-19 pandemic grounded the fleet and disrupted European aviation demand before scheduled service could resume.
Action taken
Level Europe announced an immediate end to business operations and entered insolvency proceedings on 18 June.
Aftermath
The Austrian airline ceased trading and its short-haul operations ended permanently.
2019
Open an Amsterdam operating baseStrategyBackground
After launching from Vienna, IAG sought to extend LEVEL-branded short-haul activity to another major European airport.
Action taken
Level Europe opened a base at Amsterdam Schiphol with seven planned routes and three aircraft transferred from Vueling.
Aftermath
The airline operated from both Vienna and Amsterdam until the suspension and closure of its business in 2020.
2019
Rename the legal entity Level EuropeStrategyBackground
The company had operated under the legal name Anisec Luftfahrt while using the LEVEL commercial identity.
Action taken
The legal name was changed to Level Europe in late December.
Aftermath
The corporate name became aligned with the consumer-facing LEVEL brand.
2018
Adopt the LEVEL brand for the Austrian airlineStrategyBackground
The company had initially been associated with a proposed Vueling Austria operation following IAG's interest in Niki-related assets.
Action taken
IAG designated the Austrian subsidiary as a LEVEL-branded operator and assigned it Airbus A321 aircraft.
Aftermath
The decision established Level Europe as a separate Austrian platform for the group's low-cost European strategy.
Recent events
- 2020
Level Europe suspends operations during the COVID-19 crisis[1]
Other · Regulation
The airline grounded its fleet and suspended service in March 2020 as the pandemic caused widespread travel restrictions and a sharp reduction in demand.
- 2020
Level Europe enters insolvency and ceases operations[1]
Bankruptcy · Other
On 18 June 2020, Level Europe announced the immediate cessation of its business and the start of insolvency proceedings.
- 2019
IAG plans Amsterdam base for Level Europe[1]
Product launch
IAG announced that Level Europe would establish a second base at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, with seven planned routes and aircraft transferred from Vueling.
- 2019
Anisec Luftfahrt adopts the Level Europe name[1]
Other
The airline's legal name was changed from Anisec Luftfahrt to Level Europe in late December, bringing the corporate identity into line with the LEVEL brand.
- 2018
IAG announces LEVEL-branded Austrian short-haul operation[1]
Product launch
IAG stated that its Austrian subsidiary, previously associated with Anisec Luftfahrt, would operate four Airbus A321 aircraft under the LEVEL brand rather than the initially considered Vueling Austria identity.
- 2018
Level Europe's first flight departs from Vienna[1]
Product launch
The airline began commercial service from Vienna International Airport on 17 July 2018, launching its European short-haul network under the LEVEL name.
Sources2 sources
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