Linz-Hörsching Airport is facing a significant change in its cargo business. From the end of March 2026, Turkish Airlines will withdraw its weekly cargo flights from the Upper Austrian airport. This will result in the airport losing up to a quarter of its regular air freight connections, with a direct impact on landing fee revenue. While airport management emphasizes that cargo volume will remain physically present at the airport through the so-called trucking service, political pressure on management is mounting.
In light of declining tonnage and the loss of key carriers, the opposition is calling for a comprehensive restructuring of the airport. Despite the current turbulence, the cargo sector remains the airport's most important economic pillar, with the presence of logistics giant DHL ensuring a baseline level of infrastructure utilization. The coming months will reveal whether the airport succeeds in winning back Turkish Airlines for the winter flight schedule or whether the trend toward shifting operations to Eastern European hubs like Budapest will solidify.
Logistical realignment and the role of replacement transport
The withdrawal of Turkish Airlines does not mean the complete end of the cooperation, but rather a massive shift in transport routes. Previously, up to four cargo planes per week landed in Hörsching to transport goods directly to Istanbul and from there into the airline's global network. In the future, the logistics chain will be split: While freight from Upper Austrian industry will still be delivered to Linz Airport, processed there, and prepared for air transport on pallets, outbound transport will now be by road.
In the first phase, running until June, trucks will transport cargo to Vienna-Schwechat Airport. From July onward, the focus will shift further east to Budapest Airport, which Turkish Airlines plans to increasingly use as a regional cargo hub. This process, known in the industry as a road feeder service, is already established at Linz Airport. Currently, around 70 percent of the total cargo volume is transported by truck to other airports, while only 30 percent departs directly from Hörsching. Airport spokesperson Ingo Hagedorn pointed out that this form of transshipment is common in the international air freight business, but acknowledged that the elimination of direct flight connections will result in financial losses from landing fees.
Economic indicators and the importance of air freight
The importance of the cargo division for Linz Airport is evident in last year's operating figures. In 2025, a total of 47.865 tons of air freight were handled. This represented a decrease of 9,5 percent compared to the previous year, 2024. Of this total volume, 15.215 tons were actually air freighted, accounting for almost 32 percent. The remainder was transported by road as a replacement for trucks. The loss of Turkish Airlines thus impacts a sector that was already struggling with declining volumes.
Despite the withdrawal of the Turkish state airline, one important anchor point remains: the German express service DHL continues to operate twelve flights a week from Linz. This continuity is essential for the airport, as the specialized handling of express freight guarantees high utilization of ground handling services. Nevertheless, the loss of the four weekly Turkish Airlines flights leaves a gap in the flight schedule that will be difficult to fill in the short term. Management is pinning its hopes on negotiations for the 2026 winter flight schedule, hoping for the return of cargo aircraft from the end of October.
Political reactions and demands for restructuring
The announcement of the withdrawal sparked heated debates in Upper Austrian state politics. For the Green Party, the decision is a major blow, as the previously profitable cargo sector is now also under pressure. State spokesperson Stefan Kaineder urged the development of viable and long-term strategies for the airport's future. He fears that the airport will gradually lose its importance if no new business models are developed.
Similar criticism came from the Neos party. State spokesperson Felix Eypeltauer called for a comprehensive repositioning and restructuring of the airport. He criticized the lack of transparency regarding its economic future and emphasized that the public has a right to know how the airport's future will be secured in light of global changes in the logistics sector. The loss of cargo flights is seen as a symptom of a deeper structural crisis that goes beyond purely seasonal fluctuations.
The competition among Eastern European hubs
The planned relocation of the departure point from Vienna to Budapest starting in July illustrates a larger trend in European air logistics. Budapest has significantly positioned itself as a cargo hub in recent years and is investing heavily in modern cargo terminals. Turkish Airlines' decision to shift capacity from Linz to Budapest aligns with the strategy of many carriers to consolidate their cargo flows at a few, high-traffic locations.
For Linz Airport, this development means intensified competition. As a regional airport, Hörsching must find its niche between the major hubs in Vienna and Munich and the emerging locations in the east. Linz's strength has traditionally lay in its fast handling and its immediate proximity to Upper Austria's strong industrial base. Whether these locational advantages will be sufficient to bring more freight directly into the air again in the future remains to be seen. Shifting freight to road transport often saves airlines costs, but increases the complexity of logistics chains for regional companies.
Outlook on the winter flight schedule and strategic goals
Airport management is now doing everything possible to minimize the gap in the flight schedule. History shows that withdrawals don't have to be permanent; Turkish Airlines returned to the airport in April 2020 after a hiatus. Discussions about resuming flights in the fall are already underway. At the same time, the airport must try to further increase efficiency in trucking operations to at least partially offset the losses in landing fees through higher ground handling volumes.
The challenge for 2026 will be to halt the downward trend in cargo volume. Stabilizing tonnage is essential for Linz Airport to maintain its position as Austria's second most important cargo hub after Vienna. Support from its shareholders – the State of Upper Austria and the City of Linz – will be crucial in enabling necessary infrastructure investments and keeping the airport attractive to international carriers.