Austria bans US aircraft from its airspace
Photo: A US Army F-35 fighter jet (Getty Images)
Austria has closed its airspace to US military aircraft. Vienna’s government cites constitutional compliance as the reason for this move amid the escalating conflict in Iran, according to Heute.
According to Michael Bauer, a spokesperson for the Austrian Ministry of Defense, the country will make no exceptions for the Pentagon, and the decision to ban US military aircraft from flying over Austrian airspace is final. Since the start of hostilities, the defense ministry has rejected all US requests for overflight, the official noted.
The Ministry of Defense does not disclose the exact number of blocked flights. However, each request is scrutinized closely. Bauer emphasizes that the country’s position remains principled.
Bauer explains that Austria closes its airspace to any military aircraft from foreign countries as soon as that country engages in military action.
The spokesperson explains that whenever the country is at war, the request is denied; in that case, after consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Why Austria remains neutral
The roots of this ban date back to the middle of the last century, when Austria officially became neutral in any foreign conflicts in 1955. This is enshrined in the country’s fundamental law, the Constitution.
Furthermore, Austria is not a member of NATO and has consistently reaffirmed its policy of neutrality since World War II.
How other European neighbors responding to Trump’s request
Austria is not alone in its decision to remain neutral in the standoff between the US, Israel, and Iran. For example, Switzerland has blocked the sale of US weapons. Bern has also denied Washington permission for military aircraft to fly over its territory.
In addition to Austria, Italy closed its airspace to US aircraft flying to attack Iran. The Italians, who are NATO members, were unhappy that the Pentagon did not seek permission but presented them with a fait accompli: they were only notified of the route after the planes were already in the air.
Trump himself is unhappy with this behavior by Alliance members. He is threatening to withdraw the US from NATO, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio has confirmed these intentions.
