The Salzburg-Greens criticize unnecessary helicopter flights during the ski world championship in Saalbach-Hinterglemm in February 2025. Although negative statements of nature preservation and the police were presented, more than 30 “luxury staff transport” were approved by the country, says Simon Heilig-Hofuer, member of the State Parlor. He disturbs much more that the expected development of noise was generally not determined for the permits: “I think this is illegal.”
In Austria, starting and landings of civilian machines require a permit from the governor away from airports according to the Aviation Act. This approval is granted if strikes and departure are not contrary to public interests or are of a higher public interest. The Authority checks this in the context of an investigation, asking for the district administration, the affected communities, the Nature Conservation Authority and the respective police inspection.
Public interests “Not disabled”
As can be seen from the answer to a parliamentary request from the Greens in the State Parliament, this was also made in Salzburg. In addition to a series of transport flights to the installation and dismantling of world cup systems, two private helicopter operators were approved for a total of 31 foreigners and departure for passenger transport.
“The planned start and landing location is in the tourist-developed Saalbach-Hinterglemm,” says the answer to the research by the representative of the Governor Stefan Schnöll (ÖVP) responsible for traffic. The landing site is in no nature or landscape protection area, the provisions of species protection legislation of the Nature Conservation Act would not be influenced. Conclusion: “It can be assumed that the public importance of nature conservation is not affected.” The concern of the police has been prevented by the prescription requirements.
Various legal views
“For us, the question arises as to which people a trip to the Glemmtal was unreasonable, so that promotions became necessary by helicopter,” says Heilig-Hofbauer. “The fact that the ÖSV and its event company campaigned for the helicopter flights had no damage either.” However, it is much more explosive that the issue of noise development was not treated by the extra starts and landings. “But that would be the task of the authority,” the MP is convinced.
He refers to the legal view of an expert in aviation legislation in the Ministry of Transport, according to which the avoidance of noise, especially with a view to protecting residents, is in principle in the public interest. “As the answer to the State of Parliament revealed, the expected noise development, for example by obtaining a corresponding noise report, was in no way determined.”
“A mandatory obtaining a noise report does not stem from the Aviation Act,” says a spokesperson for Stefan Schnöll on request. This was not common in practice, the helicopter pilot Toni Rainer confirmed. The basic manager of Wucher Helicopter in Salzburg was commissioned to coordinate all flights during the Ski World Cup. “For an event of this size, the number of helicopter flights in Saalbach-Hinterglemm saves in the frame,” he said. “We had expected more applications.”
Athletes and sponsors, no politicians
The majority of the flights were from the police and the army – or served the transport of fishing nets or torades. Moreover, helicopter operators had already indicated in the run -up to the Ski World Championship to better switch to the nearby airport in Zell am See. No politicians were promoted during the event, but especially athletes and VIPs. “These were, for example, skister rings that were flown in by their sponsors,” Rainer said. In addition, helicopters have replaced drones in various cases, for example when monitoring the goal stadium and the Mile fan or for film recordings of the ORF.
In 2024, 195 applications were submitted to foreigners in Salzburg and, apart from twelve cases, were also done positively. A total of 1,370 landings were approved- that would start a reduction of less than four and meaning lands per day. The expected extra development of noise was never determined.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
