Lauda Europe

Lauda Air's safety record is largely defined by one significant incident during its operational history.

• Recent Safety Record and Notable Incidents: Lauda Air suffered one fatal accident during its existence: Lauda Air Flight 004. On May 26, 1991, a Boeing 767-300ER (registration OE-LAV) crashed in Thailand shortly after take-off from Bangkok. The accident, which resulted in the deaths of all 223 passengers and crew, was caused by the uncommanded deployment of a thrust reverser on one of its engines. This remains the deadliest aviation accident involving a Boeing 767 and the deadliest in Thailand's history. Niki Lauda himself was deeply involved in the accident investigation, pushing for a thorough understanding of the cause. Apart from this incident, specific details of other notable safety incidents or a long record of continuous issues are not prominently reported in the available information.

• Regulatory Certifications: Specific historical regulatory certifications like IOSA or detailed FAA/EU compliance statuses for the original Lauda Air are not explicitly outlined in the provided search results. During its operational period, as an Austrian airline flying internationally, it would have been subject to the relevant aviation safety regulations and oversight by Austrian and international aviation authorities.

• Fleet Age and Maintenance Reputation: Direct factual data regarding the average fleet age and its overall maintenance reputation for the *original* Lauda Air beyond the Flight 004 investigation is not readily available in the search results. While a user comment from 2024 on Reddit suggested "Lauda Air's maintenance practice was quite shoddy," this is an informal assessment and not a verifiable factual statement on the airline's official maintenance standards.

• Overall Safety Assessment Based on Available Data: Lauda Air had one major fatal accident in its history. The incident of Flight 004 was thoroughly investigated, leading to insights into thrust reverser systems on Boeing aircraft. Niki Lauda's personal commitment to understanding the cause highlighted the airline's dedication to safety in the aftermath of the tragedy. Without further specific data on regulatory audits, maintenance records, or incident rates beyond Flight 004, a comprehensive overall safety assessment is limited.

• Safety Awards or Recognitions: There is no information in the provided search results indicating any specific safety awards or recognitions received by the original Lauda Air.