Ryanair Warns Austria After Graz Base Closure
Ryanair has criticised Eurowings’ decision to close its base in Graz, using the move to renew pressure on Austria’s government over aviation costs. The airline said the closure shows that Austria is losing routes, aircraft, jobs and tourism investment to lower-cost EU markets, and argued that the country’s air travel tax is making growth harder.
What Ryanair Is Asking Austria to Change
- Airline involved: Eurowings
- Airport affected: Graz, Austria
- Issue: Eurowings is closing its Graz base
- Ryanair’s complaint: Austria’s aviation costs are too high
- Tax criticised: €12 air passenger tax
- Other costs mentioned: airport charges and air traffic control fees
- Ryanair’s demand: abolish the tax and cut access costs
- Government measure criticised: a €30 million support package
“The high-priced Lufthansa subsidiary Eurowings has announced that it will close its base in Graz. This is another loss attributable to the failure of Austrian aviation policy. Instead of wasting time with inadequate and immature €30 million ‘support packages’, ‘Hopeless’ Hanke and ‘Sleepy’ Stocker should immediately abolish the harmful €12 air traffic tax in order to enable significant traffic and tourism growth. While neighbouring EU countries have lowered their costs and are attracting additional traffic growth, the Austrian federal government is standing by idly as aircraft, passengers, tourism and jobs migrate to lower-cost neighbouring countries. It is high time that ‘Sleepy’ Stocker woke up and finally abolished this harmful and devastating €12 air traffic tax."
Ryanair said Austria’s €12 air travel tax raises only €140 million a year, while causing wider damage to aviation and the economy. The airline also criticised what it called high airport charges and rising air navigation costs. It said these factors are pushing airlines to move aircraft, routes and investment to neighbouring EU countries with lower operating costs.
The issue matters most for travellers using Austria’s smaller airports, where base closures can reduce direct flight options. Graz is useful for Styria, southern Austria and trips towards Slovenia and northern Croatia. If airlines cut capacity, passengers may have to rely more on Vienna, longer rail connections or foreign airports for cheaper and more frequent flights.
Ryanair’s comments are also a warning about regional connectivity. Large capitals can usually absorb route changes, but smaller airports feel cuts faster. If operating costs remain high, Austria could see fewer direct services outside Vienna, especially on price-sensitive routes. Travellers planning trips through Graz should watch airline schedules closely before booking hotels or onward transport.