Restructuring events
European Restructuring Monitor (ERM)
The restructuring events database contains factsheets with data on large-scale restructuring events reported in the principal national media and company websites in each EU Member State. This database was created in 2002.
Ryanair, the Irish low-cost airline operating in the air transport sector, has announced the reduction of approximately 120 positions at its Vienna flight operations, following the planned closure of one of its two local bases operated by Malta Air. The job losses concern cockpit and cabin crew assigned to the five aircraft withdrawn from Vienna Airport.
According to the company, the restructuring is driven by the Austrian government’s continued application of the national air ticket tax, which Ryanair claims has significantly increased operational costs and reduced the competitiveness of the Vienna market. The base operated by Malta Air Limited is scheduled to cease operations by March 2026, with the affected aircraft relocated to airports in neighbouring countries with lower charges and no aviation tax. No new jobs will be created at the remaining Lauda Europe base, which will continue to operate 14 Airbus A320 aircraft.
The notified redundancies have been registered with Austria’s AMS early-warning system. Dismissals are expected unless employees can be reassigned within the group to other European bases. Additional indirect job impacts among service partners at Vienna Airport cannot be ruled out.
Social partner reactions have criticised the airline’s approach, emphasising Ryanair’s long-standing conflicts with Austrian labour organisations and calling on the government to maintain the aviation tax. Company management, however, continues to argue that tax policy forces it to reallocate capacity to cheaper neighbouring markets.
Ryanair is Europe’s largest low-cost carrier and has conducted numerous restructuring measures across its European bases in recent years.
Eurofound (2025), Ryanair, Relocation in Austria, factsheet number 203762, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://apps.eurofound.europa.eu/restructuring-events/detail/203762.
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