Austria joins Germany, Netherlands, Denmark & Greece to fast-track offshore “Return Hub” network
Salzburg Airport starts biometric Exit trials as Schengen Entry/Exit System enters final phase
Austrian Airlines extends suspension of Dubai, Tel Aviv & Tehran routes amid escalating Iran crisis
Latest News
Salzburg & Tirol press Vienna to abolish €12 Austrian flight tax
Regional governments in Salzburg and Tirol used the ITB trade fair on 5 March to call for the abolition of Austria’s €12–€30 flight tax, arguing it undermines the competitiveness of provincial airports. Vienna has rebuffed the idea for now, but corporates are watching closely because lower levies would cut business-travel costs.
First commercial flight from Dubai touches down in Salzburg after Iran conflict reroutes
A flydubai jet landed in Salzburg on 5 March—the first Gulf flight since conflict-related airspace closures—marking a cautious reopening of the Dubai–Salzburg route. While welcome news for stranded travellers and tourism operators, connections to Tel Aviv remain grounded, and companies should expect ongoing volatility in Middle-East itineraries.
Austria issues unprecedented Level-4 ‘Do Not Travel’ warning for ten Middle-East countries
On 4 March 2026 Austria’s Foreign Ministry reiterated a Level-4 “Do Not Travel” warning covering ten Middle-East countries after regional hostilities shut major air-spaces. The move strands 18 000 Austrians abroad, forces Austrian Airlines to suspend all Middle-East flights and triggers insurance exclusions, evacuation planning and business-travel freezes. It is the most far-reaching travel advisory Austria has ever issued and has immediate implications for corporate duty-of-care and immigration compliance.
First government-chartered evacuation flight brings 151 Austrians home from Gulf hubs
A government-chartered flight landed in Vienna on 4 March 2026 with 151 evacuees from the Middle East, launching Austria’s mass repatriation effort after the Level-4 travel warning. Further flights are planned but authorities urge citizens to use any commercial options first. The operation tests Austria’s crisis-response framework and forces companies to review duty-of-care and immigration timelines.
Registration opens for World Border Security Congress 2026 in Vienna
Registration opened on 4 March for the World Border Security Congress, which will take place in Vienna on 14–16 April 2026. The event will focus on EES roll-out, digital travel credentials and cross-border data-sharing – issues that directly affect Austrian airports, police and corporate mobility teams. Early-bird places are limited, and suppliers of border-tech are expected to attend in force.
EU releases ex-post evaluation of Internal Security Fund – Borders & Visa; Austria urged to channel lessons into EES roll-out
An EU evaluation released to national parliaments on 4 March 2026 says the Internal Security Fund – Borders & Visa delivered measurable security gains and crucial groundwork for the upcoming Entry/Exit System. Austria, which received EUR 81 million, is urged to apply the lessons – notably streamlined procurement and performance dashboards – as it finalises EES roll-out at airports and land crossings.
myDPD mobile app passes one-million-download mark, reinforcing Austria’s push for digital cross-border parcel mobility
DPD Austria revealed on 4 March 2026 that its myDPD parcel-tracking app has exceeded one million downloads, winning an award as the country’s best parcel-service app. The milestone highlights Austria’s rapid shift toward digital, user-driven cross-border logistics and offers mobility managers new tools to streamline shipping for expatriates.