Austrian Extends Temporary Cessation of Flight Operations until May 17

• About 7,000 stranded passengers have been brought home safely
• Airlift to Asia: more than 400 tons of protective clothing transported up until now
• Austrian Airlines stands ready for a slow relaunch depending on travel regulations

Unfortunately, worldwide entry bans imposed as a consequence of the coronavirus continue to be in force or have even been extended in some cases. For this reason, Austrian Airlines has to prolong the cessation of its regular scheduled flight operations once again, this time for an additional two weeks, namely from May 3, 2020 to May 17, 2020.

The precise time when regular flight operations will be resumed depends on the easing of travel restrictions and the related increase in demand. “In any case, we continue to stand ready to initiate a slow restart”, says Austrian Airlines CCO Andreas Otto.

Special flights will continue to be operated. For example, two long-haul planes from China will land this afternoon in Vienna with urgently needed medical protective clothing. A total of over 400 tons of relief supplies have been flown in from China and Malaysia up until now. Meanwhile, long-haul planes take off from Vienna to Asia every day. "The airlift is well established," Andreas Otto adds. Moreover, about 30 repatriation flights have been carried out on behalf of the Austrian Federal Government since March 13, 2020, bringing home approx. 7,000 stranded passengers safely.

Information about rebooking possibilities and the waiver policy for passengers is available at www.austrian.com.