After the early repayment of the first loan instalment of €30 million in July 2021, Austrian Airlines repaid another €30 million euros on 31 December 2021. By the end of 2021, the national carrier has repaid the first €60 million of the €300 million state-guaranteed loan.
Austrian Airlines board member Michael Trestl said: “The corona pandemic has caused the worst crisis in our company's history. Without the support of the Austrian Federal Government and other stakeholders, the continuance of Austrian Airlines as such would not have been possible. We are proud that we have already repaid a fifth of our financial aid and that we are fulfilling our responsibilities as promised. All of this in spite of the fact that the pandemic is going on longer than we all hoped. We will proceed with this path in order to continue as the red-white-red carrier at Vienna Airport who connects Austria and the world.”
In June 2020, Austrian Airlines received a corona aid package totalling €600 million, €150 million as an equity contribution from Lufthansa and a further €150 million as state cover for damages. The remaining €300 million were guaranteed by the Republic of Austria as a loan through bank financing. The loan is to be repaid in half-yearly instalments by 2026. The state aid package ensured Austrian Airlines’ continuance as a system-relevant partner at the Vienna hub and for the Austrian economy.