Julian Jäger (Photo: AIA).
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Julian Jäger: New leadership and new challenges for Austrian aviation

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The Austrian aviation industry is at a critical point: on the one hand, the industry is gradually recovering from the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic, on the other hand, sustainable technologies and political framework conditions are the decisive factors for future growth and competitiveness.

In the midst of this change, Julian Jäger, CEO of Flughafen Wien AG, is taking over the presidency of the umbrella organization for Austrian aviation, Aviation Industry Austria (AIA). With the handover of office from Robert Machtlinger, CEO of FACC AG, a new phase begins that will be characterized by innovation, sustainability and the strengthening of regional airports.

A strong foundation for the future

Austrian aviation is a mainstay of the domestic economy: around 100.000 jobs are directly or indirectly dependent on the industry, and it contributes around 8 billion euros to Austria's value creation every year. At a time when aviation is recovering worldwide, Austria's aviation industry is an important location whose importance needs to be consolidated. Competition with other aviation locations is tough, and success will depend crucially on how the industry can deal with the challenges of sustainability and global competition.

Regional airports in particular are of central importance in this regard. They play a key role in connectivity, i.e. connecting the country to international markets and destinations. Jäger stresses that regional airports, as economic engines, urgently need political support in order to consolidate their role in regional development and the labor market. These airports could even play a pioneering role in the development of sustainable aviation technologies.

The importance of sustainable fuels

One of the greatest challenges facing modern aviation is climate protection. Although aviation only causes 2,8 percent of global CO₂ emissions, the pressure to use alternative and more sustainable technologies is increasing. The use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) plays a key role, particularly with regard to the European climate targets. These fuels are intended to help reduce CO₂ emissions in the long term, even if aviation will continue to rely largely on kerosene in the coming decades.

Julian Jäger is calling on politicians to provide greater support for SAF development. Current environmental taxes, such as the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and the national aviation tax, should be earmarked for research, production and use of alternative fuels. This would not only reduce the burden on the environment, but would also strengthen the competitiveness of Austrian aviation in international comparison. Using sustainability as a growth driver is a central point in the strategic orientation of Aviation Industry Austria.

Setting the course for the future of the industry

The change at the top of the AIA comes at a time when the umbrella organization has already made important advances. Under the leadership of Robert Machtlinger, CEO of FACC AG, the AIA has developed into a strong lobby for the entire industry. The re-establishment of the umbrella organization two years ago has given Austrian aviation a united voice that is heard not only within the country but also at the European level. Machtlinger emphasizes that the aviation industry in Austria has an exceptionally high density of innovative companies that are among the pioneers in international competition.

Julian Jäger will now have the task of continuing this course and providing further impetus. In doing so, he will not only focus on technological innovations, but also on expanding the infrastructure and ensuring competitive conditions. This also includes investments in connectivity and strengthening the connection to smaller airports. These regional airports in particular offer enormous potential when it comes to testing and implementing new technologies such as electrified aircraft or the use of SAF.

Aviation Symposium 2024: The key topics

This year's aviation symposium, which was organized by the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, focused on topics such as sustainability, new aircraft technologies and regional air traffic. In addition to Julian Jäger, top-class experts such as Barbara Thaler, President of the Tyrol Chamber of Commerce, and Francesco Sciortino, COO of Austrian Airlines, discussed the need for a comprehensive modernization of the industry. It was repeatedly emphasized that sustainability and competitiveness must not be mutually exclusive.

Another key point was the intermodal connection between airports and rail. Especially in Austria, where the rail network is well developed, better coordination between rail and air traffic could help to distribute traffic loads and offer environmentally friendly alternatives. This would not only improve the CO₂ balance of aviation, but would also make mobility within Europe more efficient overall.

A future with many challenges and opportunities

The Austrian aviation industry is at the beginning of a new era. With Julian Jäger as the new President of Aviation Industry Austria, the industry will have to focus on innovation and sustainability to ensure its competitiveness. The expansion of regional airports, the promotion of sustainable fuels and the close integration with the railways will be decisive factors for the success of Austrian aviation in the coming years.

With the right political decisions, Austria could not only maintain its position in the European aviation industry, but even become a pioneer for climate-neutral aviation.

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