On 2 July 2026 Austria’s parliamentary Transport Committee approved a mobility omnibus bill that bundles changes to the Federal Highways Act, the Motor Vehicles Act and—most relevant for global mobility professionals—the Aviation Act (LFG). The committee’s green light positions the package for final passage in the National Council before the summer recess. The Aviation Act amendment modernises the mandatory reliability background check for anyone needing airside access at Austrian airports. Under the current regime, even minor police reports can trigger an automatic ban, frequently costing long-tenured ground-handlers and catering staff their jobs. The draft law introduces a proportionality test and, crucially, a formal right of appeal, allowing affected employees to contest negative decisions without immediately losing their security badge. For airport operators and airlines, the change promises greater staffing stability in a tight labour market. It also reduces training cost write-offs when experienced staff are sidelined by bureaucratic hurdles. Companies should review their HR compliance workflows: once enacted, they must incorporate the new appeal mechanism and ensure prompt notification of workers about decisions and deadlines. The bill contains two additional aviation-relevant clauses. First, it clarifies federal competence for ground infrastructure projects on aerodromes, streamlining permitting for cargo hangars and maintenance facilities. Second, it authorises the Transport Ministry to designate “U-Spaces” and geofenced no-fly zones for drones, aligning Austria with the EU’s 2023 drone regulation package and opening the door to advanced-air-mobility pilot projects around Vienna and Linz. Businesses that rely on airport passes—logistics firms, duty-free operators, executive jet services—should anticipate the law’s entry into force later this summer and adjust onboarding timelines accordingly.
