Austria-based Austrian Airlines has dismissed an employee following the revelation of one of the largest cases of staff ticket misuse in recent years.
According to the company’s internal investigation, the employee sold more than 1,000 discounted staff tickets to third parties in 2025 alone, charging up to €2,000 for some of them. The Vienna Airport-based system, normally reserved for employees, family members, and approved close contacts, was exploited through this misconduct.
Austrian Airlines stated that the incident goes beyond a violation of company policy and constitutes fraud, meaning the case could be referred to judicial authorities.
The Lufthansa Group airline emphasized that employees who misuse such privileges will face severe disciplinary action and encouraged those who have engaged in improper use to voluntarily disclose their actions.
In the aftermath of the scandal, Austrian Airlines aims to review its reservation systems to prevent similar abuses in the future.
