AÖV President Jäger calls for cut to air travel tax – AUA sticks to 2026 profit forecast

The background to the demand, according to the industry's assessment, is the high level of location costs by international comparison. Jäger argues that a reduction of the tax would strengthen the competitiveness of Austrian airports and improve the country's connectivity. The AÖV bundles the interests of Austria's commercial airports and regularly presents joint positions to the public.

AUA sticks to its profit target

Alongside the political demands, AUA presented its half-year figures. The airline, which is one of the biggest beneficiaries of a well-functionishing hub at Vienna Airport, considers itself on course despite rising costs. Management continues to expect black figures for the full year 2026 – thanks to "teilweisen Weitergabe der höheren Kosten und der eigenen, internen Kraftanstrengung". The airline is thereby sticking to its previous forecast.

In recent quarters, AUA has had to contend with higher personnel costs, kerosene prices and exchange rate effects. With a mix of price increases on selected routes and consistent cost-cutting, the company still intends to return to profit territory. Industry observers view the confirmation of the full-year forecast as a signal that the measures introduced are beginning to take effect.

Site competition with Munich, Frankfurt and Zurich

In the context of domestic aviation, in addition to Vienna, regional locations such as Graz, Klagenfurt, Innsbruck as well as the Vienna–Graz route also play an important role. Jäger's demand is explicitly aimed at site competition with neighbouring airports in Munich, Frankfurt and Zurich, which operate without a national air travel tax. In the AÖV's assessment, a reduction could help win back international connections and tourist demand.

Reactions from policymakers are still pending. The national air travel tax is owned by the federal government and is discussed at regular intervals as part of budget negotiations. The AÖV takes the position that a reduction would make sense not least from a macroeconomic perspective, as it could trigger additional value creation in tourism and in the export-oriented economy.

Outlook for the second half of the year

For AUA itself, the key task for now is to carry the half-year momentum into the second half of the year. If cost pass-through to customers continues to work and load factors remain stable, management considers the conditions for the announced full-year result to be met.

Looking ahead to autumn, the airline announced that it would continue to develop its route planning in close coordination with Vienna Airport. In this context, Jäger pointed to the importance of a strong home market for the international competitiveness of domestic aviation.

Overall, the half-year results paint the picture of an industry that is holding its own in a difficult overall economic environment while at the same time calling for political reforms. Whether the demand for a reduction of the air travel tax will be heard is likely to be decided in the upcoming budget negotiations.