The employees at Klagenfurt Airport and the handling and security subsidiary have not yet received their salaries for April 2023. A week ago, the management said that it should not be ready until May 5, 2023. Nothing has arrived. The works council and union are pissed off and politicians call special meetings that are supposed to lead to Lilihill's disempowerment.

Officially, there is now talk of a “short-term liquidity bottleneck”. This is said to be to blame for the fact that the wages and salaries of the around 120 people affected have still not been transferred. The city of Klagenfurt is now working on a solution that will allow employees to take out interest-free loans as a bridging measure. However, both the works council and the union have doubts that the coffers at Klagenfurt Airport are actually so empty that the salaries can no longer be paid. Rather, one suspects that the delays should serve as a means of pressure.

The mostly talkative airport company could not be reached for comment. In any case, employee representatives speak of a “huge mess”. They don't want to call for a walkout yet, because they obviously want to wait for the rescue measures on the part of politicians. However, there is definitely a possibility that – at least in theory – the management could still file for insolvency. The consent of the shareholders is not required for this, as it is an obligation of the managing director, which could result in personal liability if he fails to do so.

City and country want to take control

In any case, the city of Klagenfurt and the state of Carinthia want to stand together and take control of the airport together again. In a press release, one writes, among other things, that the management appointed by Lilihill wants to be kicked out as quickly as possible. The course is to be set by May 10, 2023. These should lead to the Lilihill shares being diluted due to the non-payment of the capital increase and the public sector thus becoming the majority owner again.

“As a public authority, we are acting in a closely coordinated manner. That's why today we not only talked about the capital increase, but also about the next steps that we believe are necessary to stop the current negative development at the airport. Together we want to become the determining force at the airport in order to secure airport operations and jobs," emphasizes LHStv. Martin Gruber. Everyone involved is aware that the capital increase is only the first, now urgent measure, after which it is a matter of jointly appointing a new management and jointly dealing with the call option.

"There can only be a close joint approach by the city, state and K-BV and no solo efforts by the city. It is important that despite the assumption of financial responsibility, there is still room for further projects for our citizens. In addition, every effort must be made and the right steps taken so that the airport can develop positively again. We also have to assume our responsibility for the airport employees, they are the least they can do for the current situation," says Mayor Christian Scheider.

Also Vice Mayor. Philipp Liesnig emphasizes the urgency of the procedure: "With the capital increase, we are taking an urgently needed measure to secure jobs and the airport. We are once again taking responsibility for this infrastructure, which is very important for the city of Klagenfurt, and are setting the course for the future development of the 218-hectare area. In short: we will then be masters of our own house again”.

K-BV board member Martin Payer informs that after a resolution has been passed in the committees of K-BV and the city, a general assembly will take place in the KFBG on May 11th: “The shareholders will determine the further procedure. The next step we are striving for is to appoint new management at the airport as soon as possible after the new ownership has been registered.”