NIKI Luftfahrt GmbH, also known as flyNiki is a scheduled semi-lowcost airline and a subsidiary of Air Berlin, Germany's second largest airline. It mainly serves business and some leisure destinations and is headquartered in Office Park I at Vienna International Airport in Schwechat, Wien-Umgebung, Austria.^[1][2] Niki operates charter services to leisure destinations in Europe and the Middle East from Vienna, Salzburg and Linz on behalf of tour operators as well. Although it's often called "low-cost", it provides full service, like free refreshments, newspapers, baggage, etc.

History

Niki Lauda, ex-Grand Prix driver, had been ousted from Lauda Air by boardroom politics in November 2000.^{[citation needed]} In 2003 Niki Lauda acquired the former Aero Lloyd Austria operation. The airline started operations on 28 November 2003 with the temporary name FlyNiki. On 9 January 2004, Niki announced cooperation with Air Berlin. The two airlines call their cooperation "the first European low-cost airliner alliance".^[3] Russian carrier S7 Airlines is projected to join.^[4] In the meantime, all three will be joining oneworld Alliance  S7 late 2010, Air Berlin in early 2012, Niki at the same time as an affiliate. The full announcement was made 27 July 2010.

The airline is owned by Air Berlin since 8 November 2011 and has 650 employees (at March 2011).^[5]

Destinations

Niki operates services to leisure destinations in Europe (especially Greece and Spain) and Egypt from Vienna, Salzburg, Linz and Graz. The flights are marketed by Air Berlin.

Fleet