In Austria, it should be possible in the future for the obstacle lighting, which pilots were supposed to be in front of, for example, chimneys, wind turbines, tall buildings and power lines, to be deactivated at night. This is intended to save energy when there is no aircraft nearby.

A government initiative motion was passed unanimously in Parliament's Transport Committee this week. However, two changes have occurred. On the one hand, rescue helicopters are also allowed to use airfields outside of regular operating hours. State Governor Christopher Drexler pushed for this addition. In Styria, for example, the ÖAMTC also has helicopters suitable for night flights available for emergency operations. However, these can currently only be used to a limited extent. In the future there will be an explicit exemption for rescue helicopters.

However, there is a glaring restriction: only those operators who have been commissioned by the respective federal state to provide air rescue services are actually allowed to use the airfields outside of operating hours. This explicitly excludes private operations from other operators.

Furthermore, in the future it should be permissible for the obstacle lighting of tall structures such as high-rise buildings, wind turbines, power lines and the like no longer to be in permanent operation at night. The government primarily wants to save electricity, although in the rarest of cases the state actually has to pay for the energy costs. In the future, the “flashing lights”, as the lights are often called by the people, may be switched off if there is no aircraft nearby.

In the future, Austro Control will be responsible for ensuring that the obstacle lighting is activated in good time so that there is no danger to aircraft and their occupants. This could certainly be a challenge. However, the law does not prohibit the lighting from continuing to be active.

It is currently a decision in the Transport Committee of Parliament. In the next step, the National Council must agree. Since a simple majority is sufficient and this is a government project, it can be assumed that this will only be a mere formality. The Federal Council then has to agree and finally the new law is presented to the Federal President for certification.