Air Alps ceases operations

Financially troubled Austrian regional Air Alps has ceased operations. The carrier operated three Dornier 328-100s, on mainly codeshare flights for Alitalia from Rome Fiumicino-Parma and Bolzano as well as Milan Malpensa–Salerno.

Welcome Air, a small regional carrier based in Innsbruck and owned by Swiss Lions Air Group AG, owns 76% of Air Alps (ATW Daily News, Sept. 30, 2009).

Negotiations are under way with Welcome Air to either take over the carrier or form a new one. Welcome Air CEO Sabine Mertens told ATW he was not able for comment.