Hi guys,
as announced earlier this year (discussed here: Air Berlin To Top Up Niki Share (by Tobias2702 Feb 16 2010 in Civil Aviation)), AB topped up its share in Austrian HG from 24 to 49.9 percent. Press release:

http://www.airberlin.com/site/pressnews_dr.php?ID=2234&LANG=eng

The additional shares were bought from the Lauda foundation, with an option for acquiring the remaining shares in 3 years. Thus, Niki will be absorbed into the AB group, with the brand "will continue to exist in the foreseeable future".

--Tobias--

edit: another one of Austria's airlines in German hands...

[Edited 2010-07-05 06:53:15]