There is definitely a small spark of hope for the continued existence of the Lauda base in Vienna, because the management informed their employees on Monday evening that the decision can be reversed if the social partners reach an agreement by Thursday evening.

The demonstration, about which Aviation.Direct reported in detail, brought new momentum to the deadlocked situation, because Vida unionist Daniel Liebhart announced that the social partner WKO will be contacted immediately. This seems to have happened because the Lauda management mentions in their circular that the Chamber of Commerce wanted to have confirmed whether, in the event of an agreement, it would be possible to continue the base and thus keep the jobs. David O'Brien and Andreas Gruber, managing directors of the carrier, said they did so.

The employee letter also states that Ryanair already has plans for a major expansion from Vienna. These should actually be announced after May 29, 2020. However, should an agreement be reached, the Lauda base in Vienna will remain open and Ryanair will refrain from taking over the routes by sister companies. The Lauda management also wants to undertake to pay a minimum net salary for junior flight attendants of 1.020 euros. Added to this are, among other things, commissions and payments per flight hour. According to the circular, if you don't fly a single hour, you should be transferred at least 1.020 euros at the end of the month. The management massively contradicts the claims of the union or has improved its offer. You're not that precise, at least the word "guaranteed" is written in block letters.

So it remains to be seen whether the social partners, the Lauda employees and the management succeed in pulling together and finding a last-minute compromise that is acceptable to all parties to preserve jobs. According to the circular, the planes currently parked in Vienna are to be transferred to “cheaper airports” in Spain and England and, if necessary, to be fetched back when air traffic resumes.