Austrian Airlines said it has been forced to cancel numerous
flights until the end of the month as it tries to relaunch services after the
Austrian government expanded the list of landing bans for aircraft from certain
countries and extended existing orders on others due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
From today, the new list of countries from which aircraft
are not allowed to land in Austria includes Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria,
Egypt, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania and Serbia under restrictions
imposed by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and
Consumer Protection. In addition, existing landing bans for the UK, Sweden and Ukraine
have been extended until 31 July.
As a result, Austrian Airlines has cancelled all flights
between Vienna and Belgrade, Bucharest, Cairo, Kyiv, London, Podgorica,
Pristina, Sarajevo, Sibiu, Skopje, Sofia, Stockholm, Tirana and Varna until 31
July. It said the bans will also impact its remaining network because many of
the routes affected are “frequented by many passengers in transfer”.
Austrian Airlines COO Andreas Otto commented: “Of course, we
understand that health is a top priority in the current situation. It remains a
common goal to contain the pandemic. However, cross-the-board travel bans for
entire countries – with extremely short notice – are an enormous challenge for
us and our guests. We advocate a uniform and stable travel policy within the EU
so as not to weaken Vienna’s position as a flight hub in the long term.
Business travellers and other transfer passengers will otherwise find
alternative ways of getting to long-haul destinations. Together with the
authorities and the airport, we want and must find a solution for transfer
traffic in order to prevent uncontrolled entry as fast as possible.”
The airline said passengers whose flights are cancelled will
be able to take advantage of the flexible booking options introduced as a
result of the pandemic and can take their rebooked journey until the end of
2021. Alternatively, they can apply for a refund online.
Austrian Airlines is planning to gradually reintroduce
services over the rest of the summer flying season and hopes to offer nearly 40
per cent of its normal capacity by October.