VIENNA — Austria’s airspace was left unprotected over the weekend due to staffing shortages at the country’s air force base in Zeltweg, leaving Eurofighter jets grounded and the nation vulnerable to potential airspace breaches. This unprecedented lapse in defense readiness has sparked a political uproar and raised concerns about the state of Austria’s military.
The crisis, first reported by Heute newspaper, was caused not by technical failure of the Eurofighters, but by a severe lack of personnel, especially air traffic controllers, many of whom are reluctant to serve in the military due to lower pay compared to civilian aviation jobs. Those who remain have been forced into excessive overtime, with some working up to 77 hours a month.
Brigadier Gerfried Promberger, Austria’s Air Force commander, stated that the decision to scale back operations was necessary to prevent total system collapse. “I have a duty of care for the staff,” he said, explaining that the situation was unsustainable.
A political firestorm has erupted between the Ministry of Defense, led by Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP), and the Ministry of Public Service, headed by Green Party leader Werner Kogler. General Staff Chief Rudolf Striedinger blamed Kogler’s ministry for failing to address insufficient pay for military personnel, particularly air traffic controllers, who could earn more in civilian roles. He claimed the problem had been raised repeatedly but ignored.
Kogler’s ministry denied responsibility, asserting that the severity of the issue had not been raised in official talks. Promberger rejected this, calling the denials “nonsense” and confirming multiple discussions with Kogler’s ministry, including one last October, where the issues were clearly communicated.
The shortages are not limited to air traffic control. The military is struggling to fill technical and flight technician positions due to the more competitive civilian job market. Although pilot salaries have been raised to match civilian pay through special contracts, other military roles remain underpaid.
Andreas Pernsteiner, former logistics chief of the Austrian Armed Forces, criticized the Ministry of Public Service for overstepping its authority in military staffing decisions, which he believes has hurt defense readiness.
With Eurofighter readiness still uncertain, Defense Minister Tanner has tasked the General Staff with finding alternative solutions. Tanner has also called for greater control over military personnel decisions within the Ministry of Defense, a potential flashpoint in upcoming coalition government negotiations.
The ongoing staffing crisis has raised concerns about the vulnerability of Austria’s national defense as political disputes continue.
