20 cases this year – air security deal in Bavaria sealed

In these cases, the agreement could have been used wisely, it said. The Austrian army had safely brought the target aircraft across the border five times. In detail, the new agreement covers so-called renegades, often aircraft that have lost radio contact or whose pilots do not respond. Examples are aircraft hijackings and terrorism, but it can also be due to pilot emergencies, for example.

Cross-border pursuit
The so-called “pursuit agreement” is now intended to facilitate the exchange of information on the general air situation and enable cross-border escort and identification of suspected civil aircraft. Interceptors are then allowed to follow suspicious machines across the border. Pushing back or warning shots are not allowed. “Austria’s neutrality and sovereignty, as well as the task of the federal army to monitor its airspace” would “remain unaffected,” Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP) said. The agreement focuses exclusively on non-military aircraft.

Agreement with Switzerland
The agreement will take effect from March 2023. Such an agreement has existed with Switzerland since February 1, 2019 and, according to Tanner, talks are also underway with the governments of the Czech Republic and Italy. The aim is to reach an agreement with all neighboring countries.

Tanner is currently attending a meeting with the defense ministers of Germany, Christine Lambrecht, and Switzerland, Viola Amherd. Discussions in Berchtesgaden included Austria’s possible participation in the Sky Shield Initiative, current developments in the Western Balkans and the consequences of the war in Ukraine for security in Europe.