Airports in Linz and Klagenfurt, already struggling with falling passenger numbers, are facing another setback. Irish low-cost airline Ryanair will cancel its flights to London starting this winter, according to reports by Oberösterreichische Nachrichten and ORF.
Andreas Gruber, head of Ryanair’s subsidiary Laudamotion, said the decision was driven by high operating costs in Austria. “We regret this step, but we have to face the consequences,” he told local media.
At the center of the dispute is Austria’s aviation tax, which charges airlines 12 euros per passenger per flight. Ryanair argues that this fee is significantly higher than in many other countries and makes routes less profitable. Gruber also warned that flight reductions could extend to Vienna.
Government support for the aviation sector has done little to ease concerns. Financial aid planned for 2027 and 2028, he said, would be “a drop in the ocean” compared to the costs airlines face.
Airport officials expressed disappointment but left the door open for Ryanair’s return. Norbert Draskovits, managing director of Linz Airport, said flights could resume if conditions improve, particularly if the aviation tax is reduced.
The Austrian government has allocated 30 million euros per year for the aviation industry in its 2027–2028 budget, though details on how the funds will be used are still pending. Industry representatives are pushing for a tax cut instead.
Maximilian Wildt, head of Klagenfurt Airport, echoed the criticism, noting that only a handful of European countries still impose such a tax. In nearby Trieste, Italy, airlines pay no comparable levy, giving competing airports a clear advantage.
