Austro Control has lost millions since the beginning of the pandemic. The employees will probably feel that now. Because the state air traffic control has to submit a restructuring package to the federal government. “This requires cuts that have to come in order to fuel the renovation package at all. These have to be carried on the shoulders of many, ”says managing director Valerie Hackl ORF. 

This year alone, a corona-related loss of sales of up to 150 million euros is expected. That is why savings must be made in all areas of the company. Allowances and bonuses could also be canceled and pensions frozen. Parts of the severance payment and additional pensions could also not be paid out.

The Vida union criticizes this approach. Such cuts cannot be approved. From Vida’s point of view, the owner of Austro Control, the federal government, must now take action and act. "If you can inject hundreds of millions of euros into the AUA, you will probably be able to make money for your own air traffic control authority", says Daniel Liebhart, chairman of the aviation department in the Vida union. 

In addition, he criticizes statements made by Austro Control managing director Valerie Hackl in an interview published in Kurier about the announced austerity measures. Hackl is quoted in the courier as saying “Our problem is that we have too many legacy issues and old contracts”. "To publicly defame long-standing, experienced employees as 'contaminated sites' is an unparalleled verbal derailment," says Liebhart.