day after, former owner Niki Lauda expressed interest in repurchasing the airline named after him. On 29 December 2017, it was announced that International Airlines Group (IAG), parent company of British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Vueling, would acquire for 36.5 million euros major parts of Niki including 15 Airbus A321 aircraft and traffic rights in Düsseldorf, Munich, Vienna, Zürich and Palma de Mallorca. IAG planned to establish a new Austrian subsidiary of Spanish low-cost carrier Vueling as a replacement for Niki. For this purpose, a new subsidiary of Vueling in Austria was to be founded and act independently. Of the approx. 1000 Niki employees, 740 were to be retained. On January 8, 2018, a Berlin administrative court ruled that only an Austrian court had the jurisdiction to handle the insolvency of Niki. Subsequent takeovers On January 23, 2018, the Austrian Press Agency announced that Niki Lauda's company Lauda had beaten IAG in the bid for Niki, and would take over the company. Less than two months later, Ryanair agreed to purchase a majority stake in Laudamotion, initially acquiring almost 25 percent for less than 50 million euros ($61.7 million) with the intent to purchase another 50 percent at a later date. The deal was subsequently approved by the European Union. Eleven planes from Niki were being operated by Laudamotion as of April 2018. Destinations Niki operated scheduled services to leisure destinations mainly in Spain, Portugal, and North Africa from its home base in Vienna as well as several more airports throughout Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. Codeshare agreements Niki maintained codeshares with the following airlines: Alitalia American Airlines Etihad Airways Iberia Fleet Prior to the shutdown in December 2017, the fleet of Niki consisted of the following aircraft: References External links Defunct airlines of Austria Airlines established in 2003 Airlines disestablished in 2017 Austrian companies established in 2003 2017 disestablishments in Austria Air Berlin Etihad Airways Partners Former Oneworld affiliate members Austrian brands