The state of Upper Austria and the city of Linz have initiated official negotiations on a restructuring of the ownership of Linz Airport.
The talks center on the potential acquisition of the city's 50 percent stake by the state. This would allow the airport to become wholly owned by the state. This step complies with the current articles of association of the airport company, which stipulate that if a co-owner intends to sell, they must reach an agreement with the other party. The initiative is seen as a strategic decision regarding the future direction of the airport.
To establish an objective basis for negotiations, the City of Linz will commission an independent valuation of its stake in the company. Only after this valuation is available can concrete details regarding the purchase price and the financial framework of a transaction be determined. Currently, the state and the city each hold exactly half of the shares. A complete transfer to state ownership would centralize decision-making within the company and could facilitate its integration into the state's infrastructure strategy.
The City of Linz's considerations regarding the sale of the airport stem from its strained budget and its focus on core municipal tasks. Linz Airport, primarily an important cargo hub and significant for regional passenger traffic, faces major economic challenges, as do many regional airports. While the State of Upper Austria has a strong interest in maintaining the airport's attractiveness for local industry, the city is examining whether continuing its stake in the airport is still viable under the current budgetary constraints.
The talks are currently in their early stages, and the exact outcome and timeline of a potential takeover remain unclear. Industry experts point out that consolidating ownership structures at regional airports is a common trend to reduce administrative costs and manage investments more efficiently. Both the governor and the mayor emphasized that they are seeking a solution that guarantees the long-term security of flight operations and jobs at the Linz-Hörsching location.