Austrian Air Services was the regional and feeder airline founded by Austrian Airlines in 1980, flying Metroliner and later Fokker 50 aircraft across the domestic network before being absorbed into the newly created Tyrolean Airways in 1994.
Photo: Konstantin von Wedelstaedt · License: GFDL 1.2 · Source: Wikimedia Commons
Austrian Airlines’ Regional Carrier
Austrian Air Services was founded on 4 February 1980 and began flying on 1 April 1980, initially owned 26 percent by Austrian Airlines and 14.8 percent each by the authorities of Austria’s five largest airports. Based at Vienna International Airport, it started with two Fairchild Swearingen Metroliners on domestic scheduled routes, before adding larger Fokker 50 aircraft from 1988; it operated eight Fokker 50s by the time it closed. Austrian Air Services later became a wholly owned subsidiary of Austrian Airlines.
Absorbed into Tyrolean Airways
On 2 May 1994, Austrian Air Services was dissolved; its Fokker 50 fleet and route network passed to the newly created Tyrolean Airways, which became the Austrian group’s central regional carrier.
Further reading: Austrian Airlines · Tyrolean Airways · Austrian Aviation History
Sources (Selection)
Part of the Austrian Aviation History section. An independent, private history project with no connection to Austrian Airlines AG or the Lufthansa Group.