SkyAlps
Airline Statistics
55
Active Routes525
Flight Observations32
Unique Destinations27
Origin Airports459
Avg Route Distance (mi)776
Longest Route (mi)1
Domestic Routes54
International RoutesAbout SkyAlps
SkyAlps (ICAO: SWU) is an Italian regional airline that connects Bolzano with various European destinations, emphasizing a unique South Tyrolean travel experience.
SkyAlps was founded in 2019 by South Tyrolean entrepreneur Josef Gostner, who had previously acquired Bolzano Airport. The airline's vision was to revitalize scheduled flights from Bolzano and boost tourism in the region. After initial delays due to COVID-19, SkyAlps officially commenced flight operations on June 17, 2021. In January 2023, the airline achieved a significant milestone by obtaining its own Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC), allowing it to operate independently as the fifth registered airline in Italy and the first ever from South Tyrol. SkyAlps is a subsidiary of the FRI-EL Green Power Group, an Italian company focused on renewable energy, aligning the airline with a commitment to sustainability.
The airline's main hub and operational base is Bolzano Airport (BZO), situated in the autonomous province of South Tyrol, Italy. From this strategic location in the heart of the Alps, SkyAlps serves as a bridge between northern and southern Europe. SkyAlps operates an all-turboprop fleet consisting primarily of De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 aircraft. These aircraft are chosen for their efficiency, lower emissions (up to 50% less compared to regional jets), quieter operation, and suitability for short runways in mountainous environments like Bolzano. The Dash 8-400s have a maximum capacity of up to 76 passengers. As of early 2024, the fleet was reported to include up to 14 aircraft, though operational numbers have varied due to recent events.
SkyAlps focuses on a regional route network, connecting South Tyrol with over 20 destinations across Europe. Its network includes countries such as Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The airline primarily targets leisure and business travelers, offering direct connections to popular European cities and facilitating access to ski resorts in the Dolomites. SkyAlps is not currently a member of any major airline alliances like Star Alliance, SkyTeam, or Oneworld. The airline offers a single Standard (Economy) cabin class. A notable service is its complimentary onboard offering of carefully selected South Tyrolean specialties, including local wines, snacks, and fresh juices, providing a distinct regional culinary experience. SkyAlps also provides options for private charter flights.
Traveler Reviews
Traveler reviews for SkyAlps present a mixed but generally positive picture, often highlighting the unique regional focus while noting some operational challenges.
What Travelers Love:
- Friendly Crew and Personalized Service: Many passengers appreciate the friendly and attentive cabin crew and the personalized service provided. The airline aims to offer a "boutique" flying experience.
- Unique Onboard Experience: The complimentary onboard service, featuring carefully selected South Tyrolean specialties, local wines, snacks, and juices, is frequently praised as a distinctive and enjoyable aspect of the flight.
- Comfortable Seats and Clean Aircraft: Reviews often mention comfortable seating and the cleanliness of the aircraft.
- Regional Connection: Travelers appreciate the airline's strong connection to its South Tyrolean roots, which is reflected in its service and offerings.
Common Complaints:
- Flight Delays and Cancellations: Passengers have reported instances of schedule issues, flight delays, and cancellations, particularly during the airline's initial operational phase and more recently due to maintenance concerns.
- Lack of In-Flight Entertainment/WiFi: Some reviews indicate a lack of in-flight entertainment or Wi-Fi, which is considered a weakness compared to some competing carriers.
- Ticket Price for Short Routes: For certain short routes, some travelers have found the ticket prices to be relatively high, even with included baggage.
Overall sentiment suggests that while SkyAlps delivers a pleasant and unique flight experience with its attentive service and regional flair, recent operational disruptions, particularly concerning aircraft maintenance, have caused significant inconvenience and impacted traveler satisfaction. Ratings vary across platforms, with some like Flight-report showing a good average rating, while TrustPilot indicates a "Poor" overall sentiment.
Safety Information
SkyAlps' safety information reflects both its regulatory compliance as an independent airline and recent significant challenges concerning maintenance.
- Recent Safety Record and Notable Incidents: In March 2025, the Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) temporarily grounded seven of SkyAlps' De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 aircraft due to "non-conformities" in maintenance certifications. Reports suggested deficiencies in maintenance records, including allegations that regular scheduled maintenance had not been carried out and that maintenance records might have been falsified. This incident led to a criminal investigation into the airline's CEO, Josef Gostner. The grounding severely impacted operations, leading to numerous flight cancellations and the need for wet-lease agreements to maintain service. SkyAlps has announced plans to complete maintenance audits and return its entire fleet to service by June 2025.
- Regulatory Certifications: SkyAlps obtained its own Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and Air Transport Operating Licence from ENAC, the Italian Civil Aviation Authority, in January 2023. This certification confirmed the airline's professional capacity and necessary measures to ensure the safe operation of its aircraft under Italian and European regulations. The recent grounding was directly related to findings during an ENAC audit concerning compliance with EU Regulation 1321/2012 on aircraft maintenance. There is no specific mention of IOSA or FAA compliance in the provided information.
- Fleet Age and Maintenance Reputation: SkyAlps operates a fleet of modern and efficient Dash 8-400 turboprop aircraft. However, the airline's maintenance reputation was significantly tarnished by the March 2025 grounding, which stemmed from serious concerns about the integrity and compliance of its maintenance certifications. While SkyAlps had outsourced maintenance, it remained legally responsible for ensuring its proper execution.
- Overall Safety Assessment: Prior to the March 2025 incident, SkyAlps demonstrated regulatory compliance by securing its Italian AOC. However, the subsequent grounding of a large portion of its fleet, coupled with allegations of maintenance deficiencies and a criminal investigation, raises serious questions about its safety oversight. The airline is actively working with ENAC to implement corrective actions to return the affected aircraft to service.
- Safety Awards or Recognitions: No specific safety awards or recognitions were found in the provided information.
Route Network Map
Most Popular Routes
Top Destinations
Top Origin Airports
Top Border Crossing Flights
Shortest Routes
All Routes
55 Total Routes| Route | Destination | Flights | Distance | Aircraft | Last Seen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BZO → DUS |
Dusseldorf Int'l
Dusseldorf
|
47 | 393 mi | DH8D | Jan 29, 2026 |
| BZO → HAM |
Hamburg
Hamburg
|
43 | 499 mi | DH8D | Feb 1, 2026 |
| BZO → BER |
Berlin-Brandenburg
Berlin
|
26 | 421 mi | DH8D | Feb 1, 2026 |
| BZO → LGW |
London Gatwick
London
|
22 | 616 mi | DH8D | Jan 24, 2026 |
| DUS → BZO |
Bolzano Dolomiti
Bolzano
|
19 | 393 mi | DH8B | Jan 22, 2026 |
| ANR → BZO |
Bolzano Dolomiti
Bolzano
|
18 | 452 mi | DH8D | Jan 30, 2026 |
| BZO → SUF |
Lamezia Terme Int'l
Lamezia Terme
|
16 | 579 mi | DH8D | Oct 21, 2025 |
| BZO → ANR |
Antwerp Int'l
Antwerp / Deurne
|
16 | 452 mi | DH8D | Feb 1, 2026 |
| BZO → OLB |
Olbia-Costa Smeralda
Olbia
|
16 | 395 mi | DH8D | Oct 24, 2025 |
| AOI → LIN |
Linate
Milan
|
14 | 238 mi | DH8D | Aug 31, 2025 |
| HAM → BZO |
Bolzano Dolomiti
Bolzano
|
14 | 499 mi | DH8D | Jan 31, 2026 |
| SUF → BZO |
Bolzano Dolomiti
Bolzano
|
14 | 579 mi | DH8D | Oct 17, 2025 |
| BZO → HAJ |
Hanover/Langenhagen Int'l
Hanover
|
13 | 422 mi | DH8D | Jan 10, 2026 |
| BZO → CAG |
Cagliari-Elmas
Cagliari
|
13 | 512 mi | DH8D | Oct 26, 2025 |
| BDS → BZO |
Bolzano Dolomiti
Bolzano
|
13 | 520 mi | DH8D | Oct 18, 2025 |
| OLB → BZO |
Bolzano Dolomiti
Bolzano
|
12 | 395 mi | DH8D | Oct 29, 2025 |
| EFL → BZO |
Bolzano Dolomiti
Bolzano
|
12 | 743 mi | DH8D | Oct 23, 2025 |
| BZO → BDS |
Casale
Brindisi
|
11 | 520 mi | DH8D | Oct 18, 2025 |
| OMO → PMO | Palermo Int'l (Punta Raisi Falcone-Borsellino) | 10 | 432 mi | DH8D | Oct 1, 2025 |
| BZO → KSF |
Kassel Calden
Kassel
|
9 | 353 mi | DH8D | Oct 24, 2025 |
| BER → BZO |
Bolzano Dolomiti
Bolzano
|
9 | 421 mi | DH8D | Jan 24, 2026 |
| BZO → CFU | Ioannis Kapodistrias Int'l | 9 | 642 mi | DH8D | Oct 21, 2025 |
| OMO → FCO |
Leonardo da Vinci Int'l (Fiumicino Int'l)
Rome
|
9 | 303 mi | DH8D | Oct 7, 2025 |
| BZO → BWK |
Bol
Brač Island
|
8 | 342 mi | DH8D | Oct 24, 2025 |
| BZO → CTA |
Catania-Fontanarossa Airport
Catania
|
8 | 651 mi | DH8D | Oct 18, 2025 |
Airline statistics are based on flight route observations collected from FlightAware AeroAPI and other sources. Flight counts represent observed operations, not scheduled frequencies. Route data is continuously updated as new flight information becomes available.
Last Update: Feb 1, 2026 12:07
Coverage: Observed routes only