Airline Industry

New Flight Connection Between Vienna and Chengdu Inaugurated

Hainan Airlines links Europe and Asia with a new direct flight route between Vienna and Chengdu. The opening of the route was attended by a prominent delegation, including Qi Mei, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Austria, Julian Jäger, CEO of Flughafen Wien AG, Meng Fanzhuang, Counselor of the Chinese Embassy, and Zhang Zhuo, General Manager Austria of Hainan Airlines. The event marks another milestone in the bilateral relations between Austria and China.

December 12, 2024

Austrian Airlines Extends Flight Stop to Tel Aviv and Tehran

The tense security situation in the Middle East is having an impact on international air traffic. Austrian Airlines (AUA) is reacting to the current situation and is further suspending its flights to Tel Aviv and Tehran.

November 11, 2024

AUA Flights to Tel Aviv and Tehran Remain Suspended Due to Escalating Tensions

Austrian Airlines (AUA) is extending the suspension of flights to Tel Aviv and Tehran due to the uncertain situation in the Middle East. Connections to the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv are expected to remain suspended until November 25, while flights to Tehran will be canceled until the end of November.

October 28, 2024

Austrian Airlines Extends Flight Suspension to Tehran and Tel Aviv

Due to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, Austrian Airlines (AUA) has decided to suspend flights to Tehran and Tel Aviv until at least the end of October.

October 15, 2024

ECJ Confirms Legality of AUA Rescue Against RyanAir and Laudamotion

In a significant ruling, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has confirmed the legality of €150 million in state aid to Austrian Airlines (AUA) during the COVID-19 pandemic. This ruling marks the conclusion of a legal dispute brought by the low-cost airlines Ryanair and Laudamotion against the approval of this aid by the EU Commission.

July 29, 2024

Escalation in the Tariff Dispute: AUA Facing Massive Flight Cancellations at Easter

Austrian Airlines (AUA) is on the brink of an extensive strike, which is to begin on Maundy Thursday and last 36 hours. Negotiations between the trade union vida and AUA management have so far been unsuccessful, leading to the announcement that over 400 flights will be canceled during the peak travel period at Easter. Around 50,000 passengers will be affected by the cancellations, significantly disrupting the Easter plans of many travelers.

March 26, 2024

Negotiations at AUA at a Standstill: Risk of Strike at Easter Increases

An impending strike at Austrian Airlines (AUA) is casting its shadow and threatening the upcoming Easter travel season. The negotiating parties are sticking to their positions regarding the collective agreements and an agreement seems a long way off.

March 24, 2024

Vienna Airport Expands Cargo Traffic with Asia

Vienna Airport is setting new standards in international air cargo traffic through significant cooperation agreements with Incheon Airport in South Korea and the renowned airline Korean Air. These strategic alliances mark a decisive step towards increasing capacities and efficiency in the cargo sector between Europe and Asia and further strengthening Vienna's position as a leading hub in the air cargo industry.

February 28, 2024

OMV to Supply Air France-KLM 2,000 Tons of Sustainable Jet Fuel

OMV, a Vienna-based integrated company specializing in energy, fuels, and commodities, has taken a decisive step towards promoting more sustainable aviation practices. It has signed an off-take agreement to supply 2,000 tons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to Air France-KLM Group for 2023.

September 18, 2023

Vienna Airport Soars: A Remarkable Recovery and Vision for the Future in 2023

Flughafen Wien AG, the company that manages the Vienna International Airport, celebrates an impressive recovery in the first half of 2023 with significant growth in passenger numbers, revenue, and profit for the period. With an increase in passenger numbers of 44.3%, the Vienna location reached 91% of the passenger level before the Corona crisis in 2019. In the entire Group, the figure is even 94%.

August 27, 2023

Vienna Airport Pleased with Rising Passenger Numbers

Vienna Airport can be pleased with a significant increase in visitor numbers in May. Despite continuing lower passenger numbers than in the same month before the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, five times more people flew through Vienna Airport than in May 2019. Read on if you want to learn more about Vienna Schwechat Airport!

June 15, 2022

Austrian Airlines Relaunches Non-stop Flights to Los Angeles in Summer 2022

Starting in mid-May, Austrian Airlines will once again offer a direct flight between Vienna and Los Angeles to the U.S. West Coast. From 20 May, Austrian Airlines will fly five times a week to L.A.

January 31, 2022

Vienna Airport Hub: Ryanair to Take Further Market Share from Competitor Austrian Airlines

Ryanair continues to cut into the market share of Austrian Airlines at Vienna International Airport. Read about the growth of this discount airline and how it is competing with Austrian Airlines in its home country.

January 20, 2022

Austrian Airlines Finally Has a Female Chief Executive

Annette Mann has been chosen to be the next CEO of Austrian Airlines, succeeding Alexis von Hoensbroech. Ms. Mann will become the first female CEO of Austrian Airlines. Read more about her selection and her predecessor's departure.

December 20, 2021

Air Travel to Austria: How Does Entry Work During the Fourth Lockdown?

The current lockdown in Austria due to COVID-19 has yet again complicated entry regulations for travelers. Inform yourself of the latest entry requirements for air travelers arriving in Austria and testing options at Vienna International Airport.

November 25, 2021

Austrian Airlines on the Way Back to Pre-Crisis Levels

The Lufthansa subsidiary and self-declared "premium carrier" is gearing up against competition from so-called low-cost airlines.

November 11, 2021

Travel: Airlines Bring Foreign Nationals to the U.S. Again

After more than one and a half years, the US has ended the entry ban for travelers from the European Union on Monday, 8 November. This also allows for Austrians to finally fly to the United States again.

November 9, 2021

Austrian Airlines Introduces Biometric Recognition System for Contactless Boarding

Starting November 9, AUA Austrian Airlines plans to test a facial recognition system for fast and contactless boarding in Vienna that has already been tested by Lufthansa.

November 5, 2021

Greenpeace: 80% of Austrian Short-haul EU Flights are Substitutable by Train

According to a Greenpeace report, 80 percent of Austria's short-haul flights can be replaced by rail travel. For 53 percent of all top-30 short-haul flights within the EU, there are direct overnight train connections, the report states.

October 27, 2021

Greater Flexibility: Austrian Airlines Improves Booking Platform

Austrian Airlines (AUA) has improved its booking platform to provide more flexibility when booking. The platform now allows customers to book flights from the entire route network of Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa and SWISS. This new booking platform provides multiple new benefits to customers, including a broader selection of destinations, free 48-hour booking reservations, and more. Read about all the advantages the new platform has to offer.

August 31, 2021

Austrian Airlines CEO: "The crisis does not allow for a sigh of relief"

A report shows that Austrian Airlines, like the airline industry as a whole, is still suffering greatly from the COVID-19 pandemic. CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech acknowledges that 2021 has been better than 2020 so far, but the airline is still a long way from reaching pre-pandemic numbers.

August 9, 2021

Vienna Airport: Resumption of Flights to Toronto, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh and Jeddah

Vienna International Airport announced the resumption of flights to Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and Riyadh and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The flight resumptions will also provide more connection opportunities to other destinations around the globe.

July 28, 2021

New Cargo Airline Relocates to Austria

Express service provider DHL Express is relocating a large part of its cargo airline from England to the Vienna area. The new cargo airline for the European market, based in Austria, is said to be a strong signal for the location.

May 26, 2021

Austrian Airlines Continues Restructuring Process

Austrian Airlines has announced to further their restructuring process. The company will be cutting more than 650 jobs by 2023, while reducing the fleet once more. CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech: "The pandemic is taking much longer than expected. For this reason, we are now taking additional measures to secure the future of our Austrian Airlines in the long term."

March 26, 2021

Austrian Airlines Resumes Operations with London and Tel Aviv

After the landing ban for passengers from the United Kingdom imposed by the Austrian government and the generally difficult air traffic situation with Israel in recent weeks, travel to London and Tel Aviv can now once again be offered by Austrian Airlines. Connections to China will, however, be suspended until April 9, 2021.

March 24, 2021

Vienna International Airport: Passenger Decline Minus 90.5%

Vienna's airport, which is also known as Vienna International Airport (VIA) or Flughafen Wien, continues to suffer massively from the COVID 19 pandemic. The passenger decline that has been taking place since February 2020 has continued in the new year. The airport recorded a decline to just 198,295 travelers. Only cargo volumes remained stable.

February 18, 2021

Vienna International Airport: What Is the Current Situation and How Can I Take a Covid 19 Test?

Subsequently, you will find updated information from Vienna International Airport (Flughafen Wien) regarding the reduced flight offer (landing ban for flights from the UK, South Africa and Brazil), extended entry requirements, Covid-19 test possibilities directly at the airport, the new quarantine form, body temperature measurements and other important coronavirus safety measures.

February 16, 2021

Ryanair to Close its Base in Vienna

The low-cost airline Ryanair will be closing down its base in Vienna. According to a leaked internal report, the parent company of Austrian Laudamotion, will move the base of its three Boeing planes to a not yet disclosed European airport and close down the base on Vienna's airport.

December 4, 2020

New EU Guidelines Relax Air Travelling

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) together with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have issued new guidelines for air travel, which should guide the member states in their respective decisions with regard to Covid-19 measures.

December 3, 2020

Comprehensive COVID-19 Tests for High-Risk-Country-Travelers Should Bring Back Freedom to Travel

AUA Austrian Airlines calls for comprehensive COVID-19 testing to replace general landing and entry bans.

August 19, 2020

Austria Lifts Landing Bans for Airplanes from All 18 Countries that were Previously Banned

The previous landing bans for aircraft from 18 countries expired on 1 August 2020. From now on, new entry regulations will apply, requiring a mandatory Covid 19 test. There are exceptions for diplomats and some other groups.

August 1, 2020

Landing Ban at Austrian Airports Extended from 10 to 18 Countries

In the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, Austria will reinforce the landing bans for aircraft from COVID-19 risk areas as of Thursday, 16 July. Thus, landing bans will apply to aircraft from the following countries: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China, Egypt, Iran, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Sweden, United Kingdom and Ukraine.

July 14, 2020

Another COVID Casualty: Austrian Airline Discontinues Flight Operations

The Austrian low-cost airline "Level" and subsidiary of British Airways (IAG International Airlines Group) has discontinued flight operations with immediate effect. The airline was hit hard economically by the consequences of the Covid 19 pandemic in Europe. A continuation of flight operations is not planned. About 200 employees in Vienna are affected by the bankruptcy.

June 19, 2020

Austrian Airlines Deal: EUR 450 Million for Vienna Hub Guarantee

The Lufthansa subsidiary will receive EUR 450 million from the Republic of Austria, EUR 300 million of which as a loan guarantee and EUR 150 million as equity.

June 9, 2020

Deal: Bail-out for Austrian Airlines

According to media reports, AUA Austrian Airlines is to receive a total of EUR 600 million and thus retain its Austrian headquarters.

June 8, 2020

Austrian Airlines to Resume Flight Operations on 15 June

After an interruption of almost three months, Austrian Airlines will resume flight operations to selected destinations in Europe and Tel Aviv from mid-June onwards. Since no neighbouring seats will be kept empty in case of demand, bold passengers will again be able to fly to up to 40 destinations by the end of June. For specific destinations, see below.

May 28, 2020

Ryanair's Laudamotion to Close Vienna Base

Laudamotion closes its base in Vienna on 29 May, 300 people lose their jobs. The trade union Vida did not agree to an ultimatum by the airline, which would have brought a new collective agreement with significantly lower wages.

May 22, 2020

Drastic Drop of over 99% in Passengers at Vienna International Airport

The worldwide travel restrictions and flight cancellations resulting from Covid-19 have had a major impact on the development of traffic and earnings AT Vienna International Airport (Flughafen Wien Group). In April, the Group recorded a decline of 99.6% in the number of passengers and 99.5% at Vienna International Airport. Revenues for Q1/2020 fell by -9.0% to € 161.4 million.

May 20, 2020

Vienna International Airport: 98 Percent Fewer Passengers

Vienna International Airport (Flughafen Wien AG) is currently registering a decline of 98% in the number of passengers and the workforce is on short-time working. The airport is therefore cancelling the dividend for 2019 and launching a savings programme of over € 220m.

April 17, 2020

Austrian Airlines Extends Short-Time Work and Temporary Cessation of Flight Operations

Due to the global developments in connection with the Coronavirus and the continuing restrictions on travel, Austrian Airlines is extending the short-time working model for its 7,000 employees by a further month until May 19, 2020. Also, Austrian Airlines prolongs the cessation of its regular scheduled flight operations for an additional two weeks until May 17, 2020.

April 17, 2020

Laudamotion Ceases Air Operations

Following today's announcement that Austrian Airlines will cease flight operations with effect from Wednesday, Ryanair's subsidiary Laudamotion will cease flight operations with immediate effect.

March 16, 2020

Austrian Airlines Terminates Flight Operations

Austrian Airlines is temporarily suspending its regular flight operations from Wednesday night. The last flight will arrive in Vienna on Thursday morning from Chicago. All further flights until at least March 28, 2020, or "until further notice" are cancelled. The airline is aware of its responsibility, will cooperate with the Austrian government and try to bring home as many Austrians as possible. One long-haul and one medium-haul aircraft will remain in use for emergency and relief flights.

March 16, 2020

Austria Suspends Travel also with Great Britain, Russia, the Netherlands and Ukraine

After Italy, Switzerland, Spain, France, Iran and parts of China, Austria is now also discontinuing air and rail traffic with Great Britain, the Netherlands, Russia and Ukraine.

March 15, 2020

Highest Security Level: Austria also Suspends Travelling with Switzerland, Spain and France

In addition to Italy, air and rail traffic to Switzerland, Spain and France will now be discontinued. Alongside the existing border controls, checks are now also carried out at the border to Switzerland. The highest travel warning (security level 6) applies to all 4 countries (incl. Italy). As a result of recent decisions, security level 6 now applies to 6 countries: Italy, Iran, parts of China, Switzerland, Spain and France. The Austrian government's "goal is to prevent a situation like that in Italy with all democratic possibilities".

March 13, 2020

High Security Risk - Travel Warning for Austrians to Return as Long as Still Possible

Due to the coronavirus crisis, Austria's Foreign Minister Schallenberg has raised the travel warning for all countries worldwide to "high security risk" (security level 4 of 6). He is calling for citizens to return to Austria as long as there are still opportunities for return travel.

March 13, 2020

Coronavirus: Profit Warning Issued by Vienna International Airport - Reduced Working Time Planned

Travel restrictions and the resulting massive reduction in the number of scheduled flights at Vienna International Airport severely depress revenues and annual results for 2020.

March 12, 2020

Vienna International Airport: What Arriving Passengers Should Know

Numerous measures and precautions are currently in place or under implementation at Vienna International Airport (Flughafen Wien-Schwechat) in connection with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. For updated details and Viennese specifics see below.

March 12, 2020

Vienna International Airport: What Departing Passengers Should Know

If you want to leave Vienna by plane, you must of course arrive in time at Vienna International Airport, called Flughafen Wien-Schwechat by locals. This is followed by check-in and possibly baggage check-in, boarding pass control, security control and possibly passport control. For details and Vienna differences see below.

March 11, 2020

Slump in Passenger Numbers at Vienna International Airport

While Vienna International Airport (Flughafen Wien Schwechat) recorded an increase of 8.3% in the number of passengers to 2 million in February, the coronavirus crisis led to a decline of roughly 30% in the number of passengers in March 2020, and this trend is expected to continue.

March 11, 2020

Etihad Airways Adds Abu Dhabi-Vienna Route to its Programme

In times of the coronavirus, when flights are being cancelled, it is encouraging that Etihad Airways will start a non-stop connection between Vienna and Abu Dhabi on 22 May 2020.

March 11, 2020