Upper Austria to take full ownership of Linz Airport

The state of Upper Austria plans to take full ownership of Linz Airport by acquiring the 50 percent stake currently held by the City of Linz. The transaction is expected to be completed by October 2026 through the state-owned OÖ Verkehrsholding GmbH.

A KPMG valuation estimated the company's total value between 1.9 million and 3.4 million euros based on liquidation values, though this excludes potential runway renovation costs and damage claims. The state intends to purchase the municipal share for an average of approximately 1.3 million euros. This restructuring comes during a period of financial strain, as the airport is projected to report a deficit of 8 million to 9 million euros in the current fiscal year.

Political discussions regarding the transition have emerged, with local representatives calling for a strategic restart. Proposals include a partial privatization approach to integrate private capital and expertise, alongside the development of an ‘Airport City’ concept involving research, hospitality, and aviation. There are also calls for a stronger tourism strategy to increase incoming passenger numbers to the region.