The struggle to maintain the flight weather service in Innsbruck continues. The majority owner of the airport, Innsbruck Municipal Services, is now taking part in a parliamentary citizens' initiative. The municipal company, which holds 51 percent, is clearly in favor of the continued operation of the Austro-Control office, which is intended to be closed.
One appeals to the decision-makers that they should take the security concerns repeatedly expressed seriously and should prevent the closure of the ACG weather service at Innsbruck Airport. There are also fears that the airport and the region could suffer economic damage.
The two chairmen of the Innsbruck municipal services are also quoted by the Tiroler Tageszeitung as saying that they are of the opinion that Austro Control's new Polaris system "obviously pursues the goal of downsizing". This should not under any circumstances go against security, especially since it is argued that special knowledge is required for the Tyrolean airport due to the geographical conditions.
Austro Control promises that the centralization of the weather service at the Vienna site associated with the introduction of Polaris would lead to an increase in quality. The Innsbruck Airport owners don't see that at all. Neither the ACG nor Transport Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) would react to the criticism. The plans are being adhered to, so that the Innsbruck weather station continues to operate scheduled for closure in mid-2024.
The parliamentary path has now been initiated via the National Council deputy Hermann Gahr (ÖVP). He has initiated the corresponding procedure and has already made a number of inquiries. The Tyrolean state parliament is also dealing with the matter, so it cannot be ruled out that applications could also reach the National Council via the Federal Council.