This Aviation.Direct section deals with aviation topics from Austria.
This Aviation.Direct section deals with aviation topics from Austria, one of Aviation.Direct's two home bases. The latest information from Vienna, Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz and Klagenfurt You will always find the latest information in this section.
Quick access to the news from your airport:
The Agency for Passenger and Passenger Rights (APF) looks back on a decade of successful work as the central statutory arbitration and enforcement body for rail, bus, ship, and air transport in Austria. In a comprehensive review of the 2025 financial year, the agency highlights its role as an unbureaucratic link between travelers and transport companies. Despite
The debate surrounding the Austrian air passenger tax has intensified following recent statements by Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary. O'Leary threatened to withdraw capacity from Vienna Airport and cancel planned fleet investments if the federal government does not significantly reduce or abolish the ticket tax. SPÖ transport spokesperson Wolfgang Moitzi rejected these demands.
Vienna Airport has further strengthened its position as an international air traffic hub between Europe and Asia. On April 20, 2026, the first China Eastern Airlines flight from the Chinese metropolis of Xi'an landed on the Vienna runway. The new service will operate three times a week year-round. A [missing information - likely a specific aircraft type] will be used.
By May 1, 2026, Michael O'Leary, CEO of the Ryanair Group, expects the Austrian federal government to announce either the complete abolition of the controversial air passenger tax or significant cuts to the 2026/27 winter flight schedule from Austrian airports. Not only could flights from Vienna be affected, but flights to London from Linz are also at risk.
A significant technological system change has been implemented in Lower Austria for the marking of wind turbines. The new Gnadendorf-Stronsdorf wind farm is the first to use the so-called demand-based night-time marking (BNK) system. This technology replaces the previously mandatory continuous red flashing lights, which served to ensure air traffic safety, with an intelligent control system. The warning lights on the wind turbines will remain in place in the future.
Royal Jordanian Airlines, the national airline of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, will launch a new non-stop service between the Austrian capital, Vienna, and its home hub in Amman on June 24, 2026. The route to Queen Alia International Airport will be served four times a week, with flights operating on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will celebrate the 90th anniversary of its flight connection between Vienna and Amsterdam in April 2026. The historic route was first inaugurated on April 20, 1936, and operated under the name "Blue Danube Express" before World War II. After a wartime interruption, the airline resumed service.
The Vienna Airport Group concluded the first quarter of 2026 with a positive result. In March, the number of passengers across the entire group network, which includes Vienna Airport as well as stakes in Malta Airport and Kosice Airport, rose by 5,1 percent to a total of 3.146.473.
The political debate surrounding land use at Vienna-Schwechat Airport is intensifying. At the heart of the criticism are the differing legal frameworks for large companies operating at the same location. While companies like OMV are subject to Lower Austria's spatial planning law when expanding their operations and therefore have to negotiate with the municipal council, Flughafen Wien AG (Vienna Airport AG) uses a different framework for its operations.
Austrian Airlines will increase its presence on high-frequency routes between Vienna and Germany in May and June 2026 through the targeted deployment of wide-body aircraft. According to a report by Aeroroutes.com, the Boeing 777-200ER, the largest long-haul model in the Lufthansa subsidiary's fleet, will be used on selected flights to Frankfurt.
With the free Aviation.Direct newsletter You will receive the latest information from the world of aviation, travel and tourism directly by email free of charge. Of course, you can unsubscribe easily and simply if you no longer wish to read the newsletter.
Interested?
You can order the newsletter free of charge here.
