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{{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 = | logo_size = 175
| destinations = | fleet_size =
| IATA = | destinations =
| ICAO = LPV | IATA = A6
| callsign = ALPAV | ICAO = LPV
| parent = | callsign = ALPAV
| parent = {{nowrap|] {{small|(1999–2001)}}}}
| company_slogan =
| 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 =
⚫ | bases = ]
| secondary_hubs =
⚫ | hubs =
⚫ | focus_cities = ]
| frequent_flyer = | secondary_hubs =
| lounge = | focus_cities =
| frequent_flyer = Flying Dutchman
⚫ | alliance =
| website = | lounge =
| alliance = {{nowrap|] {{small|(affiliate)}}}}
⚫ | website =
}} }}


'''Air Alps''', (temporarily also KLM Alps; legally AAA-Air Alps Aviation), is an ] ] with head office in ]. '''Air Alps''', (stylized as '''Air A!ps''', previously operating as '''KLM alps''', legally ''AAA-Air Alps Aviation''), was an ]n ] based in ].


== History == == History ==
]]]
⚫ === Establishment and first years ===
] when operated in cooperation with ].]]
⚫ Air Alps was founded in 1998 by ] (49 %) and its Manager Dietmar Leitgeb (51%) as Air Alps Aviation Alpenländische Luftfahrt GmbH with head office in Igls/] and was entering soon an agreement with the ] ]. Therefore the company used the brand name KLM Alps and participated at the ] ''Flying Dutchman''. The flight operation started in 1999 with the take over of two ] as ]- franchisee (KLM Alps) from ] respectively ] to ].
] in its last own livery.]]


⚫ === Establishment and early years ===
⚫ In 2000 three more ] were added to the fleet and Air Alps was able to enlarge its network with connections Innsbruck – ] and Amsterdam – ], including a “Mini-hub” in ] with new lines (always via Salzburg) to ], ] and Amsterdam. However the routes to ] and Cologne were abandoned soon. In 2000 Air Alps operated a total number of 68 flights per week from Austria to Amsterdam. Furthermore 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 Mio. Euro.
⚫ 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.
Starting from winter-flight-plan 2000/2001 a ] was in force with ] (and later with its successor ]) on the new established route ]-] and the in 2001 added route ] – Zurich.


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.
Early 2001 a new uniform was introduced and operation started on the routes Vienna – Stuttgart and as mentioned already Innsbruck – Zurich. In spring the same year the company was forced to register compensation due to an over-indebtedness of 34 Mio. Euro, the seventh biggest bankruptcy in the country The same year the stricken airline was taken over by an alliance of 28 South-Tyrolean industrialists around the ham-producer Franz Senfter (85% South-Tyrolean investors, 7% province South Tyrol, 7% state Tyrol) from Dietmar Leitgeb, who resigned from the post of CEO of Air Alps. It was followed by an capital increase to 7 Mio. Euro. The operative name KLM Alps was dropped and the operation resumed under the name Air Alps Aviation with a new ]. The cooperation with Swissair/] could not be maintained and Air Alps had to cease all flights to Zurich in autumn 2001.


=== First acquisition and refocus on Italy ===
⚫ In 2002 the former Manager of Alitalia and Alpi Eagles Dr. Aldo Bevilaqua was appointed as new CEO. The airline got a new strategic orientation with focus on Italy respectively South Tyrol. In the following a base was opened in ] including the stationing of an aircraft and the planned start of operation on routes to ], Olbia, ] and ] in cooperation with ]. In summer 2002 a cooperation with ] was established on the route Vienna – ] and own routes from ] respectively ] to ] and Olbia were opened, followed by further connections from ] to ] and ]. By acquiring a sixth ] the company was able to continue to enlarge its network and to open the routes from ] to ] and Olbia. In 2002 Air Alps was therefore operating two ] from Innsbruck, two from Salzburg, one from ] and one from ].
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.
⚫ In 2003 the airline introduced again a new uniform and acquired a seventh ] (OE-LKG) which enforced the network further. A new base was established in Bern and operation started on the routes Bern – Amsterdam and in the summer to ] (also from Zurich), followed by further routes from Stuttgart to ] and ], from ] to ] and ] via Rome to ]. The cooperation with Alitalia was further increased and it was planned to acquire five more ] (two from former Minerva). However the cooperation with ] on the route ] – ] – ] had to be discontinued.


⚫ 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.
In 2003 followed a further capital increase this time to 16 Mio. Euro and in 2004 operation started on the route Bozen – Munich in cooperation with Lufthansa. During the year the operation on the route Bologna – Lamezia Terme had to be ceased, however it was planned to establish a base in Brescia.


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.
The number of passengers had been increasing continuously from 72.000 in the beginning (1999) to 180.000 (2000), 190.000 (2001) and reached in 2004 the number of 400.000.


By 2004 the airline carried 400,000 passengers annually, up from 190,000 in 2001, 180,000 in 2000 and 72,000 in 1999.
=== Development since 2009 ===
⚫ On 4 June 2009 ] over Air Alps started at the regional court of Innsbruck.<ref></ref> In December the same year Air Alps was taken over by ].<ref name="welcome"> (.pdf; 118&nbsp;kB) 22. Dezember 2009</ref> With this transaction Welcome Air acquired 76% of Air Alps. The other 26% remained with the South Tyrolean entrepreneurs, the region Trentino-South Tyrol and the ] AG (STA).


=== Second acquisition and merger with Welcome Air ===
⚫ Due to financial problems Air Alps ceased all flight operation on 13 January 2012 until further notice.<ref> 16. Januar 2012</ref> Welcome Air arranged the relocation of the complete Air Alps fleet to Innsbruck. The flight operation was discontinued due to “operational reasons” – including all flights for Bozen, Rome, Milano, Parma and Salerno. <ref>http://www.airliners.de/verkehr/netzwerkplanung/air-alps-wieder-in-der-luft/26300 abgerufen am 3. Februar 2012</ref> On 01 February the flight operation resumed, however for the time being without cooperation with ] and only from ] to ].<ref>{{Cite web| title = Air Alps fliegt wieder von Bozen nach Rom| publisher = nur-flug-tours.de| accessdate = 2012-03-19| date = 2012-02-09| url = http://www.nur-flug-tours.de/news/airlinenews-12762.htm}}</ref> But this route was cancelled again and Air Alps then implemented only single charter flights. In June 2013 the airline ceased its flight operations again and the aircraft were immobilized in Innsbruck.<ref name="CH">, abgerufen am 28. Februar 2012</ref>
⚫ 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.
⚫ On 20 August 2013 the owners decided to liquidate the airline.<ref>, 20. August 2013</ref> Prior to this decision the search for investors was unsuccessful.<ref> 20. August 2013</ref> End October 2013 in course of liquidation the company dismissed the majority of its employees.<ref> 15. November 2013</ref>


⚫ 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>
In November 2013 a group of investors expressed its interest in a take-over of Air Alps and the continuation of the company.


=== Third acquisition and future plans ===
In connection with the planned take-over by the group of investors the first aircraft started on 3 February 2014 after almost one year of ceased operation for an inaugural flight from Bremen to Zurich
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 ==
Due to the collapse of the take-over negotiations the airline ceased the scheduled flights on 28 February 2014 again.
⚫ 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>

In October 2014 the company shares of “Welcome Air” equivalent to 76% of Air Alps were acquired by an investor. In November 2014 the investor reversed the liquidation of Air Alps.

Currently Air Alps undergoes a restructuring process with expected changes of the business model and new-orientation on the market.

== Flight destinations ==
⚫ Air Alps was offering scheduled flights from ] and ] to ]. During the summer season the connection were extended to ] on ].<ref> abgerufen am 23. September 2011</ref> Furthermore the airline operated ] to holiday regions in and around Italy and the aircraft were used for other airlines as ] and ]. Beside the route Bozen – Rome starting from 1 April 2012 Air Alps operated the route Linz – Vienna 33 times per week for ]. <ref> abgerufen am 2. Mai 2012</ref>


=== Codesharing === === Codesharing ===
Air Alps had ] with ] and ], in the past also with ], ], ] and ]. Air Alps had ] with ] and ], and previously with ], ], ] and ].


== Fleet == == Fleet ==
As of February 2015 no aircraft was registered for Air Alps.<ref>, abgerufen am 27. Februar 2015</ref> Air Alps operated a fleet of 7 ] 32-seat airliners for the duration of its operations.<ref>, accessed 12 September 2019</ref>

== See also ==
* ]


== References == == References ==
{{Commonscat}} {{reflist}}
<references />


==External links==
⚫ {{Navbox Airlines of Austria}}
{{Commons category inline}}

{{Portalbar|Austria|Companies|Aviation}}
⚫ {{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

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