The government approved a draft bill amending the air travel tax law on 7 March 2017. The draft bill provides for reduced air travel tax rates. Accordingly, the rates will be reduced from EUR 7 to EUR 3.50 for short distance flights, from EUR 15 to EUR 7.50 for mid-distance flights and from EUR 35 to EUR 17.50 for long distance flights. The reduced rates will apply from 1 January 2018.
The Austrian Ministers Council stated that the decision was taken to increase the attractiveness of Austria as a business and tourism destination, to secure the future of Vienna airport as an international aviation hub and to create jobs and increase economic development.
