The Dash 8 Joins the Fleet
After the Dash 7 had proven itself in scheduled service, Tyrolean Airways expanded its aircraft types: on 3 May 1985, the first De Havilland Canada DHC-8-100 “Dash 8” with 37 seats joined the fleet, a more economical and modern regional aircraft with two engines instead of four. The Dash 8 would remain the backbone of the turboprop fleet for decades.
A Route Network to Every Austrian State
Between 1987 and 1993, Tyrolean Airways systematically expanded its services until flight connections existed to every Austrian federal state. In the following years, feeder routes for international partners were added: Icelandair, Dan-Air and the German carrier RFG from Dortmund connected their own long-haul and charter services to regional destinations via Tyrolean. In 1987, Pan Am Express also briefly operated flights to Berlin Tegel using Tyrolean aircraft.
One of the most demanding routes of these years was the scheduled service to Courchevel in the French Alps: with the four-engined Dash 7, Tyrolean served one of the world’s most technically challenging airfields from the mid-1980s to the late 1990s, whose short, steeply sloped runway is reserved for only a few aircraft types and pilots.
1988: Conversion into a Public Limited Company
In 1988, the company was converted into a public limited company (Aktiengesellschaft) under Austrian law. 92 percent of the shares remained with Gernot Langes-Swarovski, who continued to be the controlling owner behind the rapidly growing regional airline.
Air Ambulance and Charter: New Sister Companies
Several specialised sister companies emerged from Tyrolean Airways’ circle during this period, including Tyrolean Air Ambulance and Tyrolean Jet Service for business flights and ambulance charters. Jakob Ringler was also significantly involved in introducing Austria’s “Christophorus” emergency helicopter system, an engagement that reached beyond the scheduled airline itself. Over time, both sister companies separated organisationally from Tyrolean Airways and, unlike the airline itself, continue to exist today.
Among the professional pilots who flew for Tyrolean and its sister companies during this era were also prominent names from Tyrolean sport: the freediver Herbert Nitsch, as well as the former ski jumpers Armin Kogler and Hubert Neuper.
Sources (Selection)
- Wikipedia (German): Tyrolean Airways
- Wikipedia: Tyrolean Airways
- aerotelegraph.com: Why Innsbruck was the cradle of Austrian aviation
Further reading: → Growth and Fleet Modernization (1990s)
← The Founding (1978–1980) · Back to overview
This chapter is part of the detailed corporate history of Tyrolean Airways. Independent, private history project with no connection to Austrian Airlines AG, the Lufthansa Group or the Swarovski corporate group.