Misplaced Pages

Air Alps: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 12:36, 28 June 2014 edit84.156.8.150 (talk)No edit summary← Previous edit Latest revision as of 07:10, 22 September 2024 edit undoAssieBassie000 (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users849 edits →First acquisition and refocus on Italy 
(69 intermediate revisions by 51 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Defunct regional airline of Austria (1998–2013)}}
{{distinguish|Air Alpes}} {{distinguish|Air Alpes|Sky Alps}}
{{Infobox Airline
| airline = Air Alps {{Infobox airline
| logo = Airalpslogo.png | airline = Air Alps
| logo_size = 175 | logo = Airalpslogo.png
| fleet_size = 3 | logo_size = 175
| destinations = 2 | fleet_size =
| IATA = A6 | destinations =
| ICAO = LPV | IATA = A6
| callsign = ALPAV | ICAO = LPV
| parent = | callsign = ALPAV
| parent = {{nowrap|] {{small|(1999–2001)}}}}
| company_slogan = ''Discover the sky''
| founded = 1998 | company_slogan =
| commenced = 1999 | founded = {{start date|1998|||df=yes}}
| ceased = | commenced = {{start date|1999|||df=yes}}
| ceased = {{end date|2013|||df=yes}}
| headquarters = ], ] | headquarters = ], ]
⚫ | key_people =
| hubs = ] | key_people =
| secondary_hubs = ] | bases = ]
⚫ | hubs =
| focus_cities = ]
| frequent_flyer = | secondary_hubs =
| lounge = | focus_cities =
| frequent_flyer = Flying Dutchman
⚫ | alliance =
| website = | lounge =
| alliance = {{nowrap|] {{small|(affiliate)}}}}
⚫ | website =
}} }}


'''Air Alps''', (stylized as '''Air A!ps''', previously operating as '''KLM alps''', legally ''AAA-Air Alps Aviation''), was an ]n ] based in ].
'''Air Alps''' (Air Alps Aviation, Alpenländisches Flugunternehmen Ges.m.b.H.) is<ref name="schedule">http://flyrostockairways.de/schedule/schedule1.htm</ref> an ] with its head office on the property of ] in ], ].<ref>"." Air Alps. Retrieved on 21 October 2012. "Füstenweg 180 A-6026 Innsbruck-Airport"</ref> It was an independent regional airline serving 10 cities in ] from ] and ], international services from ], as well as charter services. Its main base was ], with hubs at ], Milan and ], Rome.<ref name="FI">{{cite news | title= Directory: World Airlines | work= ] | page= 52 | date= 2007-03-27}}</ref> Formerly its head office was elsewhere in Innsbruck.<ref>"." Air Alps. Retrieved on 23 June 2010. "AAA-Air Alps Aviation Alpenländisches Flugunternehmen Ges.m.b.H. Eduard Bodem Gasse 1/III A-6020 Innsbruck/Austria companyseat Innsbruck"</ref>


== History == == History ==
]]]
The airline was established in 1998 and started operations on 28 March 1999 with two ] aircraft, acquiring three more in 2000 and one more in each year of operation. It was founded by ] who owned 49% of the airline, the other 51% being owned by Dietmar Leitgeb, president and chief executive of Air Engiadina. In 2001, a group of investors from the ] province of ] acquired the majority stake. In October 2005 a codeshare agreement with Alitalia on the entire Air Alps network was established. The airline is owned by Alpen-Air consortium (89.82%), Sudtiroler Transportstrukturen (7%), and Beteiligungs-und Finanzierungs (3.18%).<ref name="FI"/>
] when operated in cooperation with ].]]
] in its last own livery.]]


=== Establishment and early years ===
In 2004, a new CEO and Operations Director was appointed. The Manager Network Development Koen Hertoge was responsible for the integration into the ] Network for both national and international routes, which eventually helped Air Alps Aviation to be back in profit.
Air Alps was founded in 1998 by ] (49%) and its manager Dietmar Leitgeb (51%) as Air Alps Aviation Alpenländische Luftfahrt GmbH with its head office in Igls/]. Air Alps soon entered into an agreement with the ] airline ] and began operating under the brand name KLM alps and participating in its ] ''Flying Dutchman''. Flight operations commenced in 1999 from ] to ] and ] using two ].


In 2000, three more ] were added to the fleet and the airline expanded its network with flights from Innsbruck to ] and Amsterdam to ]. A mini-hub was set up in ] with flights via Salzburg to ], ] and Amsterdam. However, flights to Hamburg and Cologne were soon dropped. In 2000, Air Alps operated 68 flights per week from Austria to Amsterdam. Additionally, the head office was relocated from the airport to the city. The shares of ] were taken over by Dietmar Leitgeb and the capital was increased to €2 million.
As of November 2007 the company employed 160 people, 60 in Innsbruck and 100 in Italy.


The airline entered into a ] with ] in the winter of 2000 on the new ]-] route, and in 2001 for ]–Zürich. A new uniform was introduced in early 2001, and operations began on the aforementioned Innsbruck-Zürich route and Vienna–Stuttgart.
In November 2012 Air Alps ceased operations after their only then-remaining scheduled PSO-route Bolzano-Rome ceased. In August 2013 the liquidation of the company was announced.<ref></ref>


=== First acquisition and refocus on Italy ===
In January 2014 it was announced that Air Alps will resume operations and start flying on behalf of the German ] ''Rostock Airways''. The first of several planned routes is ]-] which started on 3 February.<ref>http://www.aerotelegraph.com/rostock-airways-neue-sieben-neuen-verbindungen-ab-bremen</ref><ref name="schedule"/> On 22 February it was announced that this service will cease on 28 February due to conflicts between Air Alps and Rostock Airways.<ref name="ceasesops">http://www.aerotelegraph.com/air-alps-rettung-durch-rostock-airways-gescheitert-stellt-betrieb-wieder-ein</ref><ref>http://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/25855-air-alps-announces-suspension-of-operations-for-rostock-airways</ref>
In the spring of 2001, the company was forced to declare bankruptcy on the back off a €34 million debt. A few months later, an alliance of 28 South-Tyrolean industrialists led by ham producer Franz Senfter acquired 85% of the shares, with the remaining shares purchased by the ] and ] governments. The new investors made a €7 million capital infusion as Dietmar Leitgeb exited the airline and resigned as CEO. The brand name KLM alps was dropped and operations resumed under the name Air Alps Aviation with a new ]. The airline was forced to discontinue its codesharing with Swissair and subsequently ceased all flights to Zürich in the autumn of 2001, due to Swissair’s bankruptcy.


In 2002, former ] and ] executive Dr. Aldo Bevilaqua was appointed as new CEO. A new strategy was established with a focus on Italy in general and South Tyrol in particular. A base was opened in ] with flights to ], ], ] and ] in cooperation with Alitalia. In the summer of 2002, Air Alps began codesharing with ] on the route Vienna–] and opened new routes from ] to ], ] and Olbia as well as from ] to ] and ]. By acquiring a sixth ] the company was able to continue its network expansion and open routes from ] to Rome and Olbia. In 2002, Air Alps was operating two ] from Innsbruck, two from Salzburg, one from Linz and one from Bozen.
⚫ == Destinations ==
] Departing ]]]
Air Alps doesn't operate any routes as of March 2014.


In 2003, the airline once again introduced new uniforms and acquired a seventh ] (OE-LKG) to further expand its network. A new base was established in Bern, and flights began to Amsterdam as well as ], followed by additional routes from Zürich to Elba, from Stuttgart to ] and Lamezia Terme, from Bozen to Lamezia Terme, and from Bozen to ] via Rome. Plans were made to acquire five more Dornier 328–110, including two from the defunct ]. At the same time, Air Alps ended its cooperation with ] on the route ]–Linz–Salzburg.
=== Former destinations ===
;{{GER}}
* ] - ]<ref name="schedule">http://flyrostockairways.de/schedule/schedule1.htm</ref> (ended 28 February 2014)<ref name="ceasesops"/>


The airline's capital was increased again in 2003 by €16 million, and in 2004 flights began from Bozen to Munich in cooperation with Lufthansa. A new base in ] was planned, while flights from Bologna to Lamezia Terme were terminated.
;{{SWI}}
* ] - ]<ref name="schedule"/> (ended 28 February 2014)<ref name="ceasesops"/>


By 2004 the airline carried 400,000 passengers annually, up from 190,000 in 2001, 180,000 in 2000 and 72,000 in 1999.
Air Alps operated the following services according to their homepage (April 2012).

*]-Fiumicino to ] in code-share with ].
=== Second acquisition and merger with Welcome Air ===
*] to ] (seasonal).
On 4 June 2009, settlement proceedings over Air Alps began in the regional court of Innsbruck.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.edikte.justiz.gv.at/edikte/id/idedi8.nsf/0/edf0811312eae177c12575cb007693d7!OpenDocument|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120803190055/http://www.edikte.justiz.gv.at/edikte/id/idedi8.nsf/0/edf0811312eae177c12575cb007693d7!OpenDocument|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-08-03|title=LG Innsbruck, 7 Sa 2/09t - Ausgleichsverfahren}}</ref> In December that year the airline was taken over by ]<ref name="welcome"> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820181408/http://www.airalps.at/pdf/091222%202W_A6%20Presseerkl%C3%A4rung_DE.pdf |date=2011-08-20 }} (.pdf; 118&nbsp;kB) 22 December 2009</ref> which acquired 76% of the company. The remaining shares were kept by the South Tyrolean consortium, the ] region and Südtiroler Transportstrukturen AG (STA).

Due to financial problems, Air Alps ceased all flight operations on 13 January 2012 until further notice.<ref> 16 January 2012</ref> Welcome Air relocated the entire Air Alps fleet to Innsbruck.<ref>http://www.airliners.de/verkehr/netzwerkplanung/air-alps-wieder-in-der-luft/26300 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206183941/http://www.airliners.de/verkehr/netzwerkplanung/air-alps-wieder-in-der-luft/26300 |date=2012-02-06 }} retrieved 3 February 2012</ref> On 1 February, flights resumed from Bozen to Rome.<ref>{{Cite web| title = Air Alps fliegt wieder von Bozen nach Rom| publisher = nur-flug-tours.de| access-date = 2012-03-19| date = 2012-02-09| url = http://www.nur-flug-tours.de/news/airlinenews-12762.htm| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304142333/http://www.nur-flug-tours.de/news/airlinenews-12762.htm| archive-date = 2016-03-04| url-status = dead}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, the route was once again cancelled and Air Alps began exclusively operating charter flights.

In June 2013, the airline ceased all flight operations again.,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ch-aviation.ch/airlinepage.php?code1=A6|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316022059/http://www.ch-aviation.ch/airlinepage.php?code1=A6|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-03-16|title=CH-Aviation - Airline News, Fleet Lists & More|date=2012-03-16|access-date=2018-09-12}}</ref> and on 20 August 2013 its owners decided to liquidate the company<ref>, 20 August 2013</ref> following an unsuccessful search for new investors.<ref> 20 August 2013</ref> All employees were dismissed by October 2013.<ref> 15 November 2013</ref>

=== Third acquisition and future plans ===
In November 2013 a group of investors expressed interest in acquiring Air Alps, and on 3 February 2014 the airline resumed flights between Zürich and Bremen using a single aircraft. The route was operated on behalf of ] and commenced almost a year after the airline had previously ceased operations. However, operations were halted on 28 February 2014 as takeover negotiations collapsed. In October that year, Welcome Air's shares in Air Alps were acquired by a new investor which began a restructuring process.

⚫ == Destinations ==
Air Alps offered scheduled flights from ] and ] to ]. During the summer season the airline also operated flights to ] on ].<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820180118/http://www.airalps.at/de_network.html |date=2011-08-20 }} retrieved 23 September 2011</ref> Additionally, the airline operated ]s to holiday destinations in Italy, and the aircraft were leased to airlines such as ] and ]. Air Alps also operated the route Linz–Vienna 33 times per week for ].<ref> retrieved 2 May 2012</ref>


=== Codesharing ===
They also operated charterflights from Bolzano to the following destinations, ], ], ], ] and ] (]). ] used to codeshare on all Air Alps services until they stopped operations in 2012.
Air Alps had ] with ] and ], and previously with ], ], ] and ].


== Fleet == == Fleet ==
The Air Alps fleet consisted of the following aircraft (as of 8 November 2011):<ref></ref> Air Alps operated a fleet of 7 ] 32-seat airliners for the duration of its operations.<ref>, accessed 12 September 2019</ref>
*3 ] (OE-LKA, OE-LKB, OE-LKH)


==References== == References ==
{{reflist|2}} {{reflist}}


==External links== ==External links==
⚫ {{Commons category inline}}
{{Portal|Austria|Companies|Aviation}}
⚫ {{Commons category|Air Alps}}
*


{{Navbox Airlines of Austria}} {{Portalbar|Austria|Companies|Aviation}}
{{Aviation lists}} {{Airlines of Austria}}
{{Air France–KLM}}


] ]
] ]
] ]
]
]

Latest revision as of 07:10, 22 September 2024

Defunct regional airline of Austria (1998–2013) Not to be confused with Air Alpes or Sky Alps.
Air Alps
IATA ICAO Call sign
A6 LPV ALPAV
Founded1998 (1998)
Commenced operations1999 (1999)
Ceased operations2013 (2013)
Operating basesInnsbruck Airport
Frequent-flyer programFlying Dutchman
AllianceWings Alliance (affiliate)
Parent companyKLM (1999–2001)
HeadquartersInnsbruck, Austria

Air Alps, (stylized as Air A!ps, previously operating as KLM alps, legally AAA-Air Alps Aviation), was an Austrian regional airline based in Innsbruck.

History

KLM Alps Dornier 328
An Air Alps Dornier 328 when operated in cooperation with Alitalia.
Air Alps Dornier 328 in its last own livery.

Establishment and early years

Air Alps was founded in 1998 by Air Engiadina (49%) and its manager Dietmar Leitgeb (51%) as Air Alps Aviation Alpenländische Luftfahrt GmbH with its head office in Igls/Innsbruck. Air Alps soon entered into an agreement with the Dutch airline KLM and began operating under the brand name KLM alps and participating in its frequent-flyer program Flying Dutchman. Flight operations commenced in 1999 from Innsbruck to Salzburg and Amsterdam using two Dornier 328.

In 2000, three more Dornier 328 were added to the fleet and the airline expanded its network with flights from Innsbruck to Vienna and Amsterdam to Linz. A mini-hub was set up in Klagenfurt with flights via Salzburg to Hamburg, Cologne and Amsterdam. However, flights to Hamburg and Cologne were soon dropped. In 2000, Air Alps operated 68 flights per week from Austria to Amsterdam. Additionally, the head office was relocated from the airport to the city. The shares of Air Engiadina were taken over by Dietmar Leitgeb and the capital was increased to €2 million.

The airline entered into a codesharing agreement with Swissair in the winter of 2000 on the new Klagenfurt-Zürich route, and in 2001 for Innsbruck–Zürich. A new uniform was introduced in early 2001, and operations began on the aforementioned Innsbruck-Zürich route and Vienna–Stuttgart.

First acquisition and refocus on Italy

In the spring of 2001, the company was forced to declare bankruptcy on the back off a €34 million debt. A few months later, an alliance of 28 South-Tyrolean industrialists led by ham producer Franz Senfter acquired 85% of the shares, with the remaining shares purchased by the South Tyrol and Tyrol governments. The new investors made a €7 million capital infusion as Dietmar Leitgeb exited the airline and resigned as CEO. The brand name KLM alps was dropped and operations resumed under the name Air Alps Aviation with a new corporate identity. The airline was forced to discontinue its codesharing with Swissair and subsequently ceased all flights to Zürich in the autumn of 2001, due to Swissair’s bankruptcy.

In 2002, former Alitalia and Alpi Eagles executive Dr. Aldo Bevilaqua was appointed as new CEO. A new strategy was established with a focus on Italy in general and South Tyrol in particular. A base was opened in Bozen with flights to Cagliari, Olbia, Napoli and Lamezia Terme in cooperation with Alitalia. In the summer of 2002, Air Alps began codesharing with Austrian Airlines on the route Vienna–Banja Luka and opened new routes from Vienna to München, Siena and Olbia as well as from Rome to Stuttgart and Bern. By acquiring a sixth Dornier 328 the company was able to continue its network expansion and open routes from Parma to Rome and Olbia. In 2002, Air Alps was operating two Dornier 328 from Innsbruck, two from Salzburg, one from Linz and one from Bozen.

In 2003, the airline once again introduced new uniforms and acquired a seventh Dornier 328 (OE-LKG) to further expand its network. A new base was established in Bern, and flights began to Amsterdam as well as Elba, followed by additional routes from Zürich to Elba, from Stuttgart to Bologna and Lamezia Terme, from Bozen to Lamezia Terme, and from Bozen to Tortolì via Rome. Plans were made to acquire five more Dornier 328–110, including two from the defunct Minerva Airlines. At the same time, Air Alps ended its cooperation with City Air on the route Berlin-Tegel–Linz–Salzburg.

The airline's capital was increased again in 2003 by €16 million, and in 2004 flights began from Bozen to Munich in cooperation with Lufthansa. A new base in Brescia was planned, while flights from Bologna to Lamezia Terme were terminated.

By 2004 the airline carried 400,000 passengers annually, up from 190,000 in 2001, 180,000 in 2000 and 72,000 in 1999.

Second acquisition and merger with Welcome Air

On 4 June 2009, settlement proceedings over Air Alps began in the regional court of Innsbruck. In December that year the airline was taken over by Welcome Air which acquired 76% of the company. The remaining shares were kept by the South Tyrolean consortium, the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region and Südtiroler Transportstrukturen AG (STA).

Due to financial problems, Air Alps ceased all flight operations on 13 January 2012 until further notice. Welcome Air relocated the entire Air Alps fleet to Innsbruck. On 1 February, flights resumed from Bozen to Rome. Shortly thereafter, the route was once again cancelled and Air Alps began exclusively operating charter flights.

In June 2013, the airline ceased all flight operations again., and on 20 August 2013 its owners decided to liquidate the company following an unsuccessful search for new investors. All employees were dismissed by October 2013.

Third acquisition and future plans

In November 2013 a group of investors expressed interest in acquiring Air Alps, and on 3 February 2014 the airline resumed flights between Zürich and Bremen using a single aircraft. The route was operated on behalf of Rostock Airways and commenced almost a year after the airline had previously ceased operations. However, operations were halted on 28 February 2014 as takeover negotiations collapsed. In October that year, Welcome Air's shares in Air Alps were acquired by a new investor which began a restructuring process.

Destinations

Air Alps offered scheduled flights from Bozen and Parma to Rome. During the summer season the airline also operated flights to Olbia on Sardinia. Additionally, the airline operated charter flights to holiday destinations in Italy, and the aircraft were leased to airlines such as Alitalia and Cirrus Airlines. Air Alps also operated the route Linz–Vienna 33 times per week for Austrian Airlines.

Codesharing

Air Alps had codesharing agreements with Alitalia and Austrian Airlines, and previously with KLM, Swissair, Swiss International Air Lines and City Air.

Fleet

Air Alps operated a fleet of 7 Dornier 328 32-seat airliners for the duration of its operations.

References

  1. "LG Innsbruck, 7 Sa 2/09t - Ausgleichsverfahren". Archived from the original on 2012-08-03.
  2. airalps.at - Welcome Aviation Group hebt ab Archived 2011-08-20 at the Wayback Machine (.pdf; 118 kB) 22 December 2009
  3. tirol.orf.at - Finanzielle Probleme: Air Alps stellt Flugbetrieb ein 16 January 2012
  4. http://www.airliners.de/verkehr/netzwerkplanung/air-alps-wieder-in-der-luft/26300 Archived 2012-02-06 at the Wayback Machine retrieved 3 February 2012
  5. "Air Alps fliegt wieder von Bozen nach Rom". nur-flug-tours.de. 2012-02-09. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  6. "CH-Aviation - Airline News, Fleet Lists & More". 2012-03-16. Archived from the original on 2012-03-16. Retrieved 2018-09-12.
  7. aero.de - Air Alps ist Geschichte, 20 August 2013
  8. austrianaviation.net - Air Alps wird liquidiert 20 August 2013
  9. austrianaviation.net - Blaue Briefe für Air-Alps-Mitarbeiter 15 November 2013
  10. airalps.at - network Archived 2011-08-20 at the Wayback Machine retrieved 23 September 2011
  11. ORF News retrieved 2 May 2012
  12. Air Alps Infos, accessed 12 September 2019

External links

Media related to Air Alps at Wikimedia Commons

Portals:
Airlines of Austria
Major
Minor
Defunct
Air France–KLM Group
Subsidiaries
Minority interests
Destinations
Facilities
History
Predecessors and acquisitions
People
Categories: