Austria: Package tax disputes, extremism crackdown, and aviation milestone

In Austria, a new package tax effective October 1 has sparked significant controversy. Mail-order retailers with annual turnover exceeding 100 million euros in Austria must now pay two euros per package or order. The Trade Association and the Economic Chamber have rejected the levy and filed a complaint with the European Commission regarding internal market rules. Major retailers, including Zalando, have filed lawsuits with the Constitutional Court, while Otto Austria is planning a legal challenge.

In legal news, a nationwide crackdown against right-wing extremism resulted in one arrest in Vorarlberg. Following a Joint Action Day coordinated by the State Security and Intelligence Service, 20 individuals were reported for alleged violations of the Prohibition Act and incitement to hatred. The investigation focused on digital activities across platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Facebook.

In aviation, the historic Dornier Do 24 ATT flying boat completed its first test flights over Lake Constance at the end of September after an eleven-year hiatus. The aircraft, a unique model capable of operating on both water and runways, had been severely damaged in 2015. Owner Iren Dornier and co-pilot Johannes Pradler spent four years restoring the machine to flight readiness.