RJ100 From Switzerland, joined Nov 2000, 4107 posts, RR: 33 Posted (6 years 12 months 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 2626 times:
Several media reports indicate that Austrian Airlines has severe financial problems. It also seems that Lufthansa is looking at it quite relaxed and prepares for a takeover (like they have done it with Swiss).
Any thoughts on this one? How do you see Austrians future?
I for myself see Austrian taken over by LH. But I think that OS will see a good future, being the Star Alliance's specialist for Eastern Europe.
MaartenV From Netherlands, joined Aug 2005, 271 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (6 years 12 months 1 day ago) and read 2467 times:
Maybe they can merge Austrian with Swiss. This way LH could create a strong airline to cover the eastern and southern parts of Europe, with nice hubs like VIE and ZRH.
PanHAM From Germany, joined May 2005, 7771 posts, RR: 26 Reply 3, posted (6 years 12 months 23 hours ago) and read 2443 times:
A Swiss/Austrian merger is not possible until all third country traffic rights are negotiated by the EU (Switzerland has an agreement with the EU and would likely ride on the back of such treaties).
Sad to see that Austrian may loose it's independence. Their service is far superiuor than Lufthansas. LH just has to sit there and wait until the apple falls off the tree.
RJ100 From Switzerland, joined Nov 2000, 4107 posts, RR: 33 Reply 4, posted (6 years 12 months 23 hours ago) and read 2426 times:
Quoting PanHAM (Reply 3): LH just has to sit there and wait until the apple falls off the tree.
Exactly, Mr Mayrhuber several times said that they are just waiting and will be ready to take them over.
There's no reason why Lufthansa should buy them now- and pay for it while they can get it almost "for free" when OS runs out of money.
Slz396 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (6 years 12 months 23 hours ago) and read 2401 times:
First LX
now apparently also OS
and mind you, SK is also not in a good financial health and could certainly do with some financial help from the German Flag Carrier.
I wonder:
Is LH going to actually BUY into all European Star alliance members?
RJ100 From Switzerland, joined Nov 2000, 4107 posts, RR: 33 Reply 7, posted (6 years 12 months 23 hours ago) and read 2374 times:
LH is just clever. The Swiss market is a good market (small but good) and OS's market is an excellent one (like Switzerland a limited home market but serving unique high yield destinations). LH will turn it profitable...and gain access to good markets.
Cgnnrw From Germany, joined May 2005, 1077 posts, RR: 2 Reply 9, posted (6 years 12 months 21 hours ago) and read 2227 times:
Quoting PanHAM (Reply 3): Their service is far superiuor than Lufthansas.
If call paying EUR2,50 for a 0,25 bottle of water in economy after paying EUR 388 for a 65 minute flight to Vienna superior......
Quoting Aleksandar (Reply 5): Somehow I'm not surprised with that. It seems that takeover of NG was a bit too much for OS especially having in mind the huge fleet differencies.
I agree. They really screwed over Niki Lauda and treated Tyrolean like an unwanted step-child.....Well, AUA reaps what they sew.....
Leskova From Germany, joined Oct 2003, 6075 posts, RR: 72 Reply 10, posted (6 years 12 months 21 hours ago) and read 2195 times:
Quoting Cgnnrw (Reply 9): Quoting PanHAM (Reply 3):
Their service is far superiuor than Lufthansas.
If call paying EUR2,50 for a 0,25 bottle of water in economy after paying EUR 388 for a 65 minute flight to Vienna superior......
I've not had problems with getting a glass/cup of water for free on my recent flights on OS... and you can get tickets for much lower fares than €388...
Quoting Cgnnrw (Reply 9): Quoting Aleksandar (Reply 5):
Somehow I'm not surprised with that. It seems that takeover of NG was a bit too much for OS especially having in mind the huge fleet differencies.
I agree. They really screwed over Niki Lauda and treated Tyrolean like an unwanted step-child.....Well, AUA reaps what they sew.....
Lauda primarily screwed himself and his airline - if he hadn't screwed up as much as he did, Lauda Air might still be independant.
Not sure if I'd like to see OS taken over by LH - just like with LX, it'll again be the purchase of a carrier that, except in size of the fleet and home-market, offers more than LH does.
But before I see OS either going down the drain, or even more downsized, or taken over by some other airline, I guess that LH is still the lesser of all evils available...
PanHAM From Germany, joined May 2005, 7771 posts, RR: 26 Reply 11, posted (6 years 12 months 18 hours ago) and read 2089 times:
Quoting Cgnnrw (Reply 9):
If call paying EUR2,50 for a 0,25 bottle of water in economy after paying EUR 388 for a 65 minute flight to Vienna superior......
I was referring to the C service which indeed is far superior to the equivalent LH offers and as a German resident you can get about the C fares on OS which LH sells only to residents outside Germany.
Y fares are usually cheaper than LH's as well. If you have to pay for a drink, why not. Still saves money.
Bicoastal From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 12, posted (6 years 12 months 15 hours ago) and read 1970 times:
Are we talking an imminent death watch for Austrian or is this going to be an Italian/Brazilian death watch which could go on for years? Alitalia and Varig are unfortunately still around despite predictions of imminent ruin. Maybe Austrian is a better investment with harder working and less combative unions than the other two.
PanHAM From Germany, joined May 2005, 7771 posts, RR: 26 Reply 13, posted (6 years 12 months 4 hours ago) and read 1798 times:
With the precedence set in Italy, the Austrian Government could easily put in some fresh money in form of equity.
The company knows what it has to do to shape things up and is on the road doing the right things. I'd say that they are in much better shape than their competitor on the southern side of the Alps.
Aleksandar From Serbia, joined Jul 2000, 3229 posts, RR: 34 Reply 14, posted (6 years 11 months 4 weeks 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 1579 times:
Quoting Cgnnrw (Reply 9): They really screwed over Niki Lauda
From the moment AUA took over Lauda Air, they had no idea what to do with them. Now, from some distance, it looks as that takeover was more a matter of pride than the sound business move.
HAJFlyer From Switzerland, joined Sep 2005, 1466 posts, RR: 10 Reply 15, posted (6 years 11 months 4 weeks 1 day ago) and read 1431 times:
Their CHF-denominated perpetual bond that is trading on the Swiss stock exchange has be relatively stable in the last few months; thus, at least a significant number of investors is convinced that AUA will make it.
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