Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker has pledged to reduce the country’s aviation tax, which currently stands at €12 per passenger ticket and €30 for flights shorter than 350 kilometres. He made the commitment during an official visit to China on 3 November. The government has not specified the size of the reduction or when it would take effect, and no formal tax change has been reported.
The charge applies to departures from Austrian airports. Eight state governors, airlines and airports in Austria had called for it to be abolished or lowered. Ryanair had also warned that the tax could affect its Austrian services.
The commitment leaves key details unresolved, including whether the lower rate would apply to all routes and whether airlines would pass any savings on to passengers. Any eventual change could alter the cost of operating departures from Austria, but its effect on airline deployment and airport competitiveness will depend on the level and timing of the reduction.