Vienna Airport Rolls Out CT Scanners, Ends 100-ml Liquids Rule From 3 July 2026
320,000 Passengers Expected on First Holiday Weekend as Vienna Airport Unveils ‘Assisted Travel Zone’
EU Commission Tells Austria to Prepare Exit Strategy for Internal Schengen Border Checks
Latest News
Austria’s Family-Reunification Ban Expires, Leaving Migrants in a Legal Vacuum
An emergency decree blocking refugee family reunification expired on 2 July, but Austria’s replacement quota has not yet been enacted, effectively suspending all new applications. Legal experts call the gap unlawful and NGOs plan an EU complaint, while employers face uncertainty about when skilled refugees will be able to reunite with their families.
Austria’s Family-Reunification Freeze Expires, Leaving Refugee Families in Legal Limbo
Austria’s one-year emergency stop on refugee family reunification expired on 2 July 2026, but the planned quota system has not yet been enacted, creating a legal vacuum. Thousands of pending applications are frozen, and NGOs say the situation violates EU and human-rights law. Businesses employing protection holders should prepare for continued uncertainty affecting staff morale and retention.
Vienna Airport Introduces CT Scanners—Liquids and Laptops Can Stay in the Bag
From 3 July 2026 all security lanes at Vienna Airport will use new CT scanners, letting passengers keep electronics and up to two litres of liquids in hand luggage. The €25 million project is expected to cut queues ahead of the holiday rush and aligns Vienna with forthcoming EU security standards, benefiting business travellers and airlines alike.
Mid-July closure of Brenner rail line to disrupt Austria-Italy-Germany supply chains
ÖBB and Italy’s RFI will close the Brenner railway for up to four weeks from mid-July 2026, suspending all passenger trains between Innsbruck and Bolzano and rerouting freight via longer detours. Replacement buses add 30 minutes, bicycles are barred, and logistics costs will rise, affecting Austrian, Italian and German supply chains.
Parliamentary Transport Committee Clears Aviation Law Overhaul and New Staff Security Appeal Rights
Austria’s Transport Committee has endorsed an Aviation Act amendment that gives airport workers the right to appeal negative security checks and introduces proportionality standards. The wider mobility bill also streamlines airport infrastructure permitting and sets a legal basis for drone "U-Spaces". Final parliamentary approval is expected before the July recess, promising quicker staffing and project approvals for aviation employers.
Austrian Airlines Launches Twice-Weekly Vienna–Ohrid Service, Opening New Balkan Gateway
Austrian Airlines inaugurated a twice-weekly Vienna–Ohrid route on 2 July, giving Austrian and multinational firms faster access to North Macedonia’s tourism and emerging tech sector. The seasonal link trims travel time, supports trade growth and could become year-round if demand holds.
Condor, Austrian and Lufthansa Ramp Up Tel Aviv Flights as Israel Route Reopens
Condor will start daily Frankfurt–Tel Aviv flights on 2 August, complementing Austrian Airlines’ newly expanded three-daily Vienna rotations and Lufthansa Group rebuilds. The restored capacity shortens trip times for Austrian firms and intensifies fare competition on a key Middle-East business route.