The Austrian federal government has waited a long time before pronouncing an airspace closure for airlines and aircraft associated with the Russian Federation. The ban came into effect at 15:00 p.m. on Sunday – at the same time as Germany.

Russian airlines are prohibited from using the airspace of the Republic of Austria. The ban also includes machines owned or chartered by persons with Russian citizenship. Also included are all AOC holders from Russia and all aircraft entered in the Russian register.

This ban is also likely to pose problems for Austrian business aviation, which has maintained close business relationships with Russian citizens for decades. However, the ban is only of symbolic importance, because more and more states around Austria have already issued comparable measures beforehand. At EU level, this is to be extended to the entire airspace of the European Union. The Austrian ban is initially valid until May 27, 2022. As a result, OE-registered aircraft and airlines are no longer permitted to use Russian airspace. The countermeasures of the Putin regime are likely to affect business aviation first and foremost, because Austrian Airlines previously announced that it would no longer fly to Russia and would no longer use the airspace.

The Austrian Notam in the wording:

“A0415/22 – UKRAINIAN CRISIS: AS FROM 27.02.2022 1500 CET ALL AIRCRAFT OWNED, CHARTERED OR OPERATED BY CITIZENS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION, HOLDERS OF OPERATING LICENSE (OR SIMILAR AUTHORIZATION) ISSUED BY THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION AND ACFT WITH REGISTRATION IN RUSSIAN FEDERATION ARE PROHIBITED TO ENTER, EXIT OR OVERFLY THE SOVEREIGN AIRSPACE OF REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA, EXCEPT HUMANITARIAN FLIGHTS AND SAR FLIGHTS WITH SPECIAL PERMISSION OF REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA (AACCC(AT)BMK.GV.AT) AND AIRCRAFT IN EMERGENCY. 27 FEB 12:42 2022 UNTIL 27 MAY 23:59 2022 ESTIMATED. CREATED: 27 FEB 12:42 2022”