In a major breakthrough, the Vida union and Austrian Airlines (AUA) reached an agreement on a wage increase for its on-board staff on Thursday evening. The deal, which was the culmination of tough negotiations, will see the salaries of approximately 2,500 flight attendants and 1,000 pilots gradually increased by 20 percent by 2026. Co-pilots will also receive an additional 11 percent increase in their salaries.
The agreement represents a significant increase in salaries above the inflation rate for AUA’s on-board staff, according to Daniel Liebhart, Chairman of the Aviation Department in Vida. The deal provides the company with planning security as the wage increase will be phased over three years.
The agreement is subject to a positive vote by union members, which is expected to be a formality. However, it includes a peace obligation that prevents operational disruptions due to strikes until 2026. This will allow travelers to book their flights with Austrian Airlines without hesitation in the coming years. Depending on the fiscal year 2025 outcomes, salaries could increase by an additional two percentage points in April 2026.
Workload reduction and insurance improvements for medical-related flight license loss are also part of the deal. The negotiations were challenging, lasting 20 rounds since mid-January, causing work stoppages and flight cancellations leading to significant financial losses for the company. The union had initially demanded wage increases in line with Lufthansa’s parent company but was met with resistance from management who deemed it too high. Annette Mann mentioned potential consequences if costs at AUA increased significantly due to higher wages.
Günther Ofner, head of Vienna Airport welcomed the outcome of the negotiations providing relief for both employees and customers. The agreement ensures stability of operations and prevents future strikes allowing AUA to focus on its continued growth and customer service.