3 times Formula 1 champion and 3 times airline owner Niki Lauda is trying his luck for the 4th time - in the aviation business. Shortly before the year end he aquired the Austrian VIP-jet operator Amira Air from the Austrian enterpreneur Ronny Pecik. Details of the transaction are not known, yet Niki Lauda told the Austrian daily Die Presse that it was "silly expensive".
Amira Air has been founded in 2004 and is currently operating a fleet of 14 bizjets - 1 Citation Jet CJ2, 9 Bombarier Challengers 300/604 and 4 Bombardier Global Express/5000/6000 aircraft. Until the deal, Amira was owned by Ronny Pecik, which is known also for his stake in the Slovak low-cost carrier SkyEurope, which went bankrupt in 2009.
Lauda did not provide details on his plans with Amira Air, nor if he will keep the current name of the company. As per his statement towards Die Presse, he has to think about it yet. Its clear however, that he can not use parts of his name as Niki is owned by Air Berlin and his former airline Lauda Air has been integrated into Austrian Airlines. One thing is clear however - Lauda will not be only the owner of the airline but will also fly as a pilot, to much amusement of his customers.
