2006
A new Boeing B737-800 named after famous musician of the band Nirvana, Kurt Cobain, is delivered to Lauda Air.
2005
Lauda Air reports two new additions to its holiday flight fleet, the first two aircraft of type Airbus A320 to take off under the Lauda Air livery.
Starting June 2005 Lauda Air relaunches its own website www.laudaair.com and starts with a new unique campaign, the Republic of Lauda Air.
2004
As the Flight Operations Divisions of Lauda Air and Austrian Airlines were merged, Christian Fitz left Lauda Air to become Managing Director of the joint Flight Operations Division. DI Thomas Suritsch was appointed as sole Chief Executive of Lauda Air, by now fully oriented towards the holiday flight segment.
2003
Lauda Air Luftfahrt AG converted into a GmbH.
2002
Austrian Airlines increased its participation in Lauda Air to 100% in June. Klaus Stöger left Lauda Air and returned to Austrian Airlines, as DI Thomas Suritsch and Christian Fitz were appointed as joint Chief Executives of Lauda Air.
2001
Lauda Air increases its Australia frequency to five flights per week.
In early 2001 Lauda Air scoops 3 awards in rapid succession: The Business Traveller Award for Best European Airline, the Golden Globo for Best Holiday Airline in Europe, and Airline of the Year from the business magazine, Captial.
2000
Lauda Air joins the Star Alliance in March.
November: Airline founder Niki Lauda announces his resignation as Chairman of Lauda Air. Austrian Airlines take over 88% of Lauda Air by April 2001.
Lauda Air launches its new advertising campaign, Supernatural.
1999
In February 1999, Lauda Air`s Boeing 767-300ER number six, "Steve McQueen", is delivered, in March another B737-800, "Freddie Mercury" is joining the fleet.
In August, "Frank Sinatra" is joining Lauda Air`s Boeing 767-300ER fleet and starts its 'career' with a round the world trip to Frankfurt, Bangkok, Sydney, Honolulu and Los Angeles.
1998
In May 1998 Lauda Air joins the Qualiflyer Group airline alliance.
When the Austrian popstar Falco died in a tragic car accident, Niki Lauda spontaneously decided to immortalise his friend. A Lauda Air 737-800 aircraft was named "Falco" in a huge ceremony at Graz Airport.
1997
On 12th March a strategic cooperation between Austrian Airlines, Lauda Air and Lufthansa is announced. Austrian Airlines takes a 36% holding in Lauda Air, Niki Lauda retains 30 percent and Lufthansa 20 percent.
1996
In June 1996 Lauda Air starts a limited cooperation with Austrian Airlines, with joint services to Rome, Milan and Nice operated by a Lauda Air Canadair Regional Jet.
"Niki`s Kids Club" is launched for children aged 6 to 16.
1995
The Lauda Air European Network now serves the following destinations: Vienna, Frankfurt, Paris-Orly, London-Gatwick, Milan-Malpensa, Manchester, Brussels, Barcelona, Lisbon, Berlin and Dusseldorf.
1994
In early 1994 Lauda Air acquires six 50-seat Canadair Regional Jets and launches its services to the European destinations of Barcelona, Madrid, Brussels, Geneva, Manchester and Stockholm.
1993
With a view to the European Economic Area Lauda Air enters into a strategic alliance with Lufthansa, which acquires a stake in Lauda Air in January 1993. In early 1993 Lauda Air also founds a subsidiary in Italy: Lauda Air S.p.A. operates flights to the Caribbean ex Milan with a Boeing 767-300ER. In March Lauda Air introduces four weekly scheduled services to Los Angeles, flying via Munich in codeshare with Lufthansa.
1992
In July 1992 Lufthansa and Lauda Air announce their new partnership. In December 1992 Lauda Air introduces three weekly Boeing 767-300ER scheduled flights to Miami (via Munich) in cooperation with Lufthansa.
1991
26th May 1991 is the blackest day in the history of Lauda Air. A Boeing 767-300ER crashes on its way from Bangkok to Vienna when a construction defect triggers the reverse thrust on the port engine during the aircraft's ascent. 213 passengers and 10 flight crew are on board.
Lauda Air adds the new destination of Melbourne to its Australia product in late October 1991.
1990
On 23rd August Lauda Air is finally granted a concession for world-wide scheduled services, a privilege previously reserved for the Austrian flag carrier, Austrian Airlines.
1988
In May 1988 Lauda Air finally launches its scheduled services to Bangkok, Hong Kong and Sydney, flown by the first Boeing 767-300ER in the Lauda Air fleet.
1987
Top Viennese restaurateur Attila Dogudan (DO&CO) takes over Lauda Air`s catering services.
1986
This year sees the beginning of a period of high-speed development. Originally a purely charter airline, in 1986 Lauda Air applies for a scheduled concession with a view to the forthcoming liberalisation of the airline industry.
1985
In 1985 Niki Lauda the airline boss exchanges the two Fokkers for two BAC 1-11/500 and enters into a partnership with Basile Varvaressos and his tour operator company ITAS.
The success of the partnership necessitates an increase in transport capacity.
Lauda Air purchases two Boeing 737-300 and tour operator ITAS, adding Spain, the Canary Islands and long-haul destinations to its existing packages to Greece, provides the sun-seeking passengers.
1979
Niki Lauda, born in Vienna in 1949, starts his career as a Formula I racing driver in 1971. Always fascinated by the world of aviation, he wins the Formula I World Championship twice before acquiring a charter concession and founding his own airline in 1979 with two Fokker 27 aircraft.
