The low-cost airline Ryanair has sharply criticized the Austrian federal government under Chancellor Stocker and warned of far-reaching consequences for the aviation industry.
The background to this is the expiration of a deadline set by the industry, May 1, 2026, without the government having taken any measures to abolish the €12 air passenger tax. Michael O'Leary, CEO of the airline, is now threatening to drastically reduce the Austrian route network and relocate aircraft to more competitive markets. As an example of such a measure, he cited the already completed closure of the base at Berlin Brandenburg Airport, which was also attributed to high location costs.
According to the company, Austria's competitiveness is suffering not only from the ticket tax but also from the massively increased ancillary costs. Air traffic control fees, for example, have risen by 60 percent and charges at Vienna Airport by 30 percent since the pandemic. Ryanair draws a direct comparison with neighboring Slovakia: While passenger numbers at Vienna Airport fell by ten percent in April 2026, Bratislava Airport, only about 80 kilometers away, recorded growth of 170 percent during the same period. O'Leary attributes this to the significantly lower cost structure in Bratislava, which is increasingly serving as a cost-effective alternative for the Vienna region.
Additional market analyses support the thesis of fierce competition within Europe. Countries like Sweden, Italy, and Hungary have recently reduced or completely abolished air passenger duties to promote tourism and attract airlines. In Austria, however, state governments and tourism associations have long been calling for tax relief to avoid falling behind in the European economic upswing. While the air passenger duty does generate significant revenue for the state budget, critics consider it a drag on growth, prompting particularly price-conscious airlines to shift their operations to countries with lower tax burdens.
Ryanair is now demanding an immediate reversal of Austrian transport policy. In addition to abolishing the €12 tax, the company is calling for a halving of air traffic control fees and the reintroduction of growth incentive programs at Vienna Airport. If these demands are not met, a significant reduction in flight services from Vienna and other Austrian regional airports is a real possibility. Industry experts point out that such a withdrawal would not only impact freedom of travel but also have direct consequences for employment in ground handling services and the supply industry.