Customs officers at Vienna-Schwechat Airport intercepted two suitcases containing 25 kilograms of cannabis on 24 October 2025, arresting a 26-year-old British passenger en route from Bangkok to Catania. The bust underscores Austria’s stepped-up focus on transit-zone security ahead of the partial roll-out of the EU Entry/Exit System next month.
The cannabis, concealed in vacuum-sealed pouches, was detected during routine X-ray screening of transfer luggage. Authorities emphasised that the seizure was part of a broader operation targeting narcotics routed through Middle-East and Southeast-Asia hubs. The suspect was transferred to the Korneuburg remand centre pending formal charges.
For business travellers, the incident is a reminder that Austrian airports are ramping up both customs and immigration checks in anticipation of biometric exit recording. Passengers with tight connections should allow extra time for security screening, and corporate travel policies should be updated to reflect Austria’s zero-tolerance stance on controlled substances.
Vienna Airport handled more than 32 million passengers last year, with a growing share of long-haul transit traffic. Customs say advanced risk-profiling algorithms now flag high-risk baggage before it reaches the carousel, part of a €40 million tech upgrade co-funded by the EU Internal Security Fund.
The cannabis, concealed in vacuum-sealed pouches, was detected during routine X-ray screening of transfer luggage. Authorities emphasised that the seizure was part of a broader operation targeting narcotics routed through Middle-East and Southeast-Asia hubs. The suspect was transferred to the Korneuburg remand centre pending formal charges.
For business travellers, the incident is a reminder that Austrian airports are ramping up both customs and immigration checks in anticipation of biometric exit recording. Passengers with tight connections should allow extra time for security screening, and corporate travel policies should be updated to reflect Austria’s zero-tolerance stance on controlled substances.
Vienna Airport handled more than 32 million passengers last year, with a growing share of long-haul transit traffic. Customs say advanced risk-profiling algorithms now flag high-risk baggage before it reaches the carousel, part of a €40 million tech upgrade co-funded by the EU Internal Security Fund.
