The Austrian Armed Forces have temporarily relocated Eurofighter air-policing operations to Klagenfurt Airport for the 20th time, operating from the Carinthian airport between 16 and 19 October. The aircraft arrived around midday on Friday and will return to Fliegerhorst Hinterstoisser in Zeltweg on Monday, while civil air traffic continues without restriction.
The Eurofighters are maintaining active surveillance of Austrian airspace from Klagenfurt. They will launch only for “Priorität Alpha” missions, such as responding to an aircraft that cannot be reached by air-traffic control or an unauthorised foreign military aircraft entering Austrian airspace. No training or practice flights are planned during the deployment.
The temporary relocation gives the Austrian Air Force experience in conducting air-policing operations from an alternative airfield, including the movement and operation of personnel and equipment away from the Eurofighters’ regular base. It also helps ease personnel pressures at Zeltweg.
The deployment is conducted in cooperation with Klagenfurt Airport, which has hosted the Austrian Eurofighters on 20 occasions. No interception has been reported during the current operation.