Austria rejects US military overflight requests, citing neutrality

Austria has rejected requests from the United States for military overflights of its territory since the start of the conflict in the Middle East, citing its long-standing policy of neutrality.

A spokesperson for Austria’s Defence Ministry confirmed the refusals on Thursday, April 2.

“There have indeed been requests, and they were refused from the outset,” Colonel Michael Bauer told AFP. He added that any such request involving a country engaged in war is systematically denied under Austria’s neutrality framework.

Austria has maintained its neutral status since 1955. Geographically, the country is surrounded to the north, south, and east by NATO member states, while Switzerland—which also adheres to neutrality—lies to its west.

The issue comes amid broader tensions within the transatlantic alliance. US President Donald Trump has criticised several European NATO members, including France and Spain, for refusing to allow their airspace to be used in military operations against Iran.

In mid-March, Switzerland similarly invoked its neutral status to deny requests for the use of its airspace.

By Tamilla Hasanova