From April 18 to 22, 2025, Austrian airspace will be monitored for the first time from Klagenfurt Airport for several days. Three Austrian Armed Forces Eurofighters will assume active airspace control during this period. This is due to personnel shortages at Hinterstoisser Air Base in Zeltweg and strategic considerations regarding decentralized operational control.
On Friday, April 18, 2025, three Austrian Armed Forces Eurofighters will be stationed at Klagenfurt Airport. This measure serves to temporarily relocate active airspace surveillance, which will be carried out from Carinthia until Tuesday, April 22. The decision for this step is based on the need to maintain the Austrian Armed Forces' operational readiness despite personnel shortages at the main base in Zeltweg.
Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner emphasized the importance of this measure: "The continuous monitoring of our airspace is our highest priority. I would like to thank the authorities at Klagenfurt Airport for the excellent cooperation with our air force."
Major General Gerfried Promberger, Air Chief of the Austrian Armed Forces, emphasized the necessity of the relocation: "The temporary relocation of operational flight operations is essential to ensure operational readiness and maintain orderly flight operations."
Background: Staff shortages and infrastructural challenges
The decision to relocate the Eurofighters was based on an acute personnel shortage at Hinterstoisser Air Base in Zeltweg. In November 2024, Austrian airspace was unprotected for several days due to a lack of personnel. This situation led to considerations of distributing airspace surveillance across multiple locations to ensure the operational capability of the Austrian Armed Forces.
Klagenfurt Airport was identified as a suitable location due to its existing infrastructure and the region's strong presence of military personnel. Initial discussions with Klagenfurt Airport took place in November 2024.
Mission profile: Focus on “Priority Alpha” missions
During the deployment, the Eurofighters will be used exclusively for so-called "Priority Alpha" missions. These include situations in which, for example, an aircraft in Austrian airspace cannot be reached by radio by air traffic control, or when military aircraft from other countries cross Austrian airspace without the appropriate overflight permit. Training or exercise flights are not planned during the deployment period.
The temporary relocation of the Eurofighters to Klagenfurt is part of a broader strategy by the Austrian Armed Forces to decentralize airspace surveillance. The plan is for the fighter jets to maintain operational readiness from the base in Zeltweg for half the month, while four of the interceptors (two for active operations, two in reserve) will operate from another airport for the other half. This measure is intended not only to increase the Austrian Armed Forces' operational capability but also to reduce the burden on personnel at the main base in Zeltweg. Eurofighter training and maintenance will continue to be carried out centrally from Zeltweg.
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