Tyrolean Airways
Corporate brand
UnclaimedTyrolean Airways was an Austrian regional airline founded in Innsbruck that later operated Austrian Airlines flights under the Austrian Arrows brand before being absorbed into Austrian Airlines in 2015.
Last updated August 25, 2026
Overview
Tyrolean Airways was an Austrian regional airline established in Innsbruck in 1958 as Aircraft Innsbruck by Gernot Langes-Swarovski and Christian Schwemberger-Swarovski. The company developed around the needs of Alpine and regional air transport, linking Austria with nearby European destinations and operating from Innsbruck, an airport associated with challenging mountain conditions. When scheduled services began on 1 April 1980, the airline adopted the Tyrolean Airways name. The carrier’s identity was closely associated with regional aviation and the Tyrol region. It became notable for operating de Havilland Canada Dash 7 aircraft into Courchevel Airport in France, whose steeply inclined runway and Alpine setting made it a particularly demanding destination. Over time, Tyrolean expanded its fleet and regional network and became an important operating partner within the Austrian Airlines Group. Austrian Airlines acquired Tyrolean Airways in March 1998 after original majority owner Gernot Langes-Swarovski made the company available for purchase. Although ownership changed, Tyrolean retained a distinct operational role. In 2003, as Austrian Airlines sought to consolidate its corporate presentation, Tyrolean’s aircraft were placed under the Austrian Arrows brand and received a livery aligned with the Austrian Airlines Group. Tyrolean continued to manage the regional operation, while the flights were marketed and identified within the Austrian Airlines system. The airline’s most consequential transformation came in 2012 during a restructuring effort at Austrian Airlines. Following a labour dispute and an attempt to reduce operating costs, nearly all Austrian Airlines Group aircraft and employees were transferred to Tyrolean Airways from 1 July 2012. Approximately 460 pilots and 1,500 cabin crew moved to the Tyrolean operating structure. With one exception related to international traffic regulations, the group’s flights were operated by Tyrolean while retaining Austrian flight numbers. This arrangement made Tyrolean the legal and operational vehicle for most Austrian Airlines flying, rather than simply a regional affiliate. The restructuring was controversial because it involved the transfer of employees into a different labour framework. In October 2014, Austrian Airlines announced that flight operations, aircraft and personnel would be returned to the Austrian Airlines organization after a new labour agreement was reached. The reintegration was completed on 31 March 2015. Tyrolean Airways ceased operations and was dissolved as a separate company on that date. Its legacy therefore lies less in a continuing consumer brand than in its role as an Austrian regional carrier and as a temporary operating platform used during the restructuring of Austrian Airlines.
History
Tyrolean Airways began in 1958 as Aircraft Innsbruck, founded by Gernot Langes-Swarovski and Christian Schwemberger-Swarovski. Its base in Innsbruck positioned it within Austria’s Alpine aviation environment, where regional connectivity and difficult terrain were central to the airline’s operating identity. The company started scheduled services under the Tyrolean Airways name on 1 April 1980. The carrier built a reputation as a regional operator serving Austria and nearby European destinations. One distinctive aspect of its operation was the use of Dash 7 aircraft at Courchevel Airport in France, an Alpine airport known for its steep runway. This reflected Tyrolean’s specialization in short-haul and mountain-region flying. In March 1998, Austrian Airlines acquired the airline after Gernot Langes-Swarovski made the business available for purchase. Tyrolean consequently became part of the Austrian Airlines Group while continuing to retain an operational identity. In 2003, Austrian Airlines Group introduced the Austrian Arrows brand for the regional fleet. Tyrolean aircraft received the group’s livery and flew under the Austrian Arrows name, but Tyrolean continued to manage the operation. The company’s role changed fundamentally in 2012. In an effort to restore Austrian Airlines to financial stability and resolve cost and labour pressures, Austrian Airlines transferred almost its entire fleet and workforce to Tyrolean. From 1 July 2012, around 460 pilots and 1,500 cabin crew joined the Tyrolean structure, and nearly all Austrian Airlines Group flights were operated by Tyrolean while retaining Austrian flight numbers. A Boeing 777-200ER was excluded from the transfer because of international traffic-law considerations. The transfer generated labour controversy because the affected employees moved into a different employment framework. After negotiations, Austrian Airlines and its workforce reached a new labour agreement in 2014. This enabled the company to reverse the temporary structure. On 31 March 2015, Tyrolean’s aircraft, crews and operations were reintegrated into Austrian Airlines, and Tyrolean Airways was dissolved. The airline’s final historical role was therefore as both an independent Austrian regional carrier and a corporate restructuring vehicle within the Lufthansa Group’s Austrian Airlines organization.
- 2015
Reintegration and dissolution
[1]Tyrolean’s operations and employees return to Austrian Airlines on 31 March, and the company is dissolved.
- 2012
Austrian Airlines operations transferred to Tyrolean
[1]Almost all Austrian Airlines Group flights, aircraft and relevant flight personnel are placed under Tyrolean’s operating structure.
- 2003
Regional fleet rebranded as Austrian Arrows
[1]Tyrolean’s aircraft receive Austrian Airlines Group branding while the airline continues managing regional operations.
- 1998
Austrian Airlines acquisition
[1]Austrian Airlines acquires Tyrolean Airways and incorporates it into its airline group.
- 1980
Scheduled services begin under the Tyrolean Airways name
[1]The airline adopts the Tyrolean Airways name when scheduled operations commence on 1 April.
- 1958
Aircraft Innsbruck is established
[1]Gernot Langes-Swarovski and Christian Schwemberger-Swarovski establish the company that would later become Tyrolean Airways.
Products and positioning
An Austrian regional airline focused on Alpine and European connectivity, later functioning primarily as an operating carrier for Austrian Airlines.
Passenger airlines · 1980
Regional passenger services
Tyrolean Airways provided scheduled regional passenger flights from Austria to European destinations. Its network and operating model emphasized short-haul connectivity, including services linked to Austrian Airlines’ broader network. The airline’s Innsbruck base reflected its historic Alpine focus, while its later role included operating flights from Vienna under Austrian Airlines flight numbers.
Regional airline brand · 2003
Austrian Arrows
Austrian Arrows was the operating brand applied to Tyrolean Airways’ regional fleet from 2003. The aircraft were given Austrian Airlines Group styling and used within the parent group’s network, but Tyrolean remained responsible for operating the services. The brand ended when Tyrolean’s operations were reintegrated into Austrian Airlines in 2015.
Brand decisions
2014
Decision to reintegrate Tyrolean into Austrian AirlinesStrategyBackground
A new labour agreement resolved the employment-framework dispute associated with the 2012 transfer.
Action taken
Austrian Airlines planned to return Tyrolean’s flight operations, aircraft and personnel to the Austrian Airlines organization.
Aftermath
The reintegration was completed on 31 March 2015, when Tyrolean Airways was dissolved.
2012
Transfer of Austrian Airlines operations to TyroleanStrategyBackground
Austrian Airlines undertook a restructuring intended to improve its financial and operating position amid labour and cost pressures.
Action taken
From 1 July 2012, almost all Austrian Airlines Group flights, aircraft and relevant employees were transferred to Tyrolean, while Austrian flight numbers were retained.
Aftermath
The arrangement made Tyrolean the operating vehicle for most Austrian Airlines flights and became the subject of significant labour disagreement.
2003
Adoption of the Austrian Arrows brandStrategyBackground
Austrian Airlines Group sought to consolidate the presentation of its regional operations under a common brand identity.
Action taken
Tyrolean’s aircraft were given Austrian Arrows branding and an Austrian Airlines Group-aligned livery, while Tyrolean continued to manage the operation.
Aftermath
Tyrolean retained an operational role but became less visible as an independent consumer-facing brand.
Recent events
- 2015
Tyrolean Airways dissolved after reintegration[1]
M&A · Other
On 31 March 2015, aircraft, flight operations and crew were returned to Austrian Airlines, and Tyrolean Airways ceased to exist as a separate company.
- 2014
Labour agreement enables reintegration into Austrian Airlines[1]
Other
A new labour agreement cleared the way for Tyrolean’s flight operations and workforce to be reintegrated into Austrian Airlines.
- 2012
Austrian Airlines transfers most operations and staff to Tyrolean[1]
Leadership change
From 1 July 2012, nearly all Austrian Airlines Group flights, aircraft and employees were transferred to Tyrolean Airways during a restructuring linked to cost reduction and a labour dispute.
- 2003
Tyrolean Airways adopts the Austrian Arrows operating brand[1]
Other
As part of Austrian Airlines Group brand consolidation, Tyrolean aircraft were rebranded as Austrian Arrows, although the operation continued to be managed by Tyrolean.
- 1998
Tyrolean Airways acquired by Austrian Airlines[1]
M&A
Austrian Airlines acquired Tyrolean Airways after its original majority owner made the company available for purchase, bringing the regional carrier into the Austrian Airlines Group.
Sources1 sources
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