Niki plans to double fleet, profits
Niki, the Austrian low-fare airline that is part of the airberlin group, converted 10 options on A320 family aircraft into firm orders as its profits continued to rise.
"We will take delivery of the new aircraft from 2010 onwards. For every aircraft, a year ahead [of delivery] we decide if we need an A319, A320 or A321," founder and owner Niki Lauda told ATWOnline.
Niki's fleet will increase by 2014 to 20 aircraft. Value of the new order is €500 million ($734.7 million). Lauda said the carrier's 2007 profit doubled to more than €1 million as it transported 1.7 million passengers, up 30% from 2006. He expects a further revenue increase in 2008, to €220 million from €186 million, and a profit of €2.1 million.
The carrier currently operates eight A320 family aircraft, increasing to nine in May. It will launch a twice-daily Vienna-Milan Malpensa and a daily Vienna-Belgrade service in March. "We will also increase services on some routes to thrice-daily to satisfy our business customers," Lauda said.
The airberlin group holds 24% in the Austrian carrier. AB and Niki have become No. 1 for the first time for flights between Austria and Germany. They operate on nine routes with 300 weekly flights, ahead of both Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines. Atwonline
Niki, the Austrian low-fare airline that is part of the airberlin group, converted 10 options on A320 family aircraft into firm orders as its profits continued to rise.
"We will take delivery of the new aircraft from 2010 onwards. For every aircraft, a year ahead [of delivery] we decide if we need an A319, A320 or A321," founder and owner Niki Lauda told ATWOnline.
Niki's fleet will increase by 2014 to 20 aircraft. Value of the new order is €500 million ($734.7 million). Lauda said the carrier's 2007 profit doubled to more than €1 million as it transported 1.7 million passengers, up 30% from 2006. He expects a further revenue increase in 2008, to €220 million from €186 million, and a profit of €2.1 million.
The carrier currently operates eight A320 family aircraft, increasing to nine in May. It will launch a twice-daily Vienna-Milan Malpensa and a daily Vienna-Belgrade service in March. "We will also increase services on some routes to thrice-daily to satisfy our business customers," Lauda said.
The airberlin group holds 24% in the Austrian carrier. AB and Niki have become No. 1 for the first time for flights between Austria and Germany. They operate on nine routes with 300 weekly flights, ahead of both Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines. Atwonline