Chaos in Schwechat

First frustrated passengers after AUA warning strike

Frustrated passengers wait for their departure. Numerous flights were canceled, including that of Marina (30) from Vienna.

(Bild: „Krone“-Leserreporter)

Sudden chaos at Vienna-Schwechat Airport: after a works meeting at the domestic Austrian Airlines on Friday, a warning strike was called by the flying personnel, there were frustrated passengers in the afternoon. Marina (30) from Vienna had been waiting for her departure since 10.30 am. Then it was clear: her plane wasn't going to take off either.

"I actually wanted to go to New York with my husband for ten days. Possibly also to Washington," the Viennese woman tells the "Krone" in despair. Although the vacation has not yet been canceled, a smooth journey looks different. The couple had already been informed the day before that their flight to Newark would be delayed.

They were given vouchers for the flight delay
As compensation, they were then offered a restaurant voucher worth seven euros per boarding pass. "But the vouchers didn't work at all at the selected restaurants. Most of them were also closed," says the 30-year-old angrily.

Marina and her husband had been waiting for their flight to Newark since Friday morning. The two want to go on vacation to the Big Apple.

(Bild: „Krone“-Leserreporter)

Flights already canceled
Not only Marina, but also other AUA passengers had to wait on Friday. There was congestion at the gates and nobody wanted to stand. Everyone waited tensely for their departure. Well over 100 flights were canceled and numerous flights were delayed.

Several flights were postponed and more than 100 flights had to be canceled.

(Bild: „Krone“-Leserreporter)

Via Geneva to the "Big Apple"
At around 1 p.m., Marina and her husband were given more detailed information: "We were automatically rebooked." The couple are due to fly to Geneva and will only be able to continue their journey on Saturday morning. They will probably only be able to relax again in the US metropolis ...

Check flight status online
AUA asked its customers to check their flight status online. Passengers who have booked through a travel agency should contact them. In the early afternoon, 20 destinations were checked to see how a flight could still be arranged.

Frustrated passengers wait for their departure. Numerous flights were canceled, including that of Marina (30) from Vienna.

(Bild: „Krone“-Leserreporter)

The works meeting of Austrian Airlines flying personnel had decided on a warning strike until 5 pm. The reason for the strike was the stalled collective bargaining negotiations and the "very poor pay" within the Lufthansa Group, said Daniel Liebhart, chairman of the vida aviation section.