A flight restriction area is a defined airspace where flight operations are subject to temporary or permanent restrictions.
 
For UAS pilots in Austria, the three most relevant flight restriction areas are:
 
  • Vienna (LO R 15)
  • Neusiedler See (LO R 16)
  • Rheindelta (LO R 18)

Operating a UAS within these areas requires a paid operational authorization from Austro Control. You can find information on how to obtain the authorization here.
 
Exemptions
UAS with a maximum take-off mass of less than 250 g, operated at a maximum altitude of 30 meters above ground, are exempt from this authorization requirement. However, this exemption only applies if there is no uncontrolled airfield within your flight area.
 












Map view in the Austro Control Dronespace system showing orange-marked LO-R areas; note that the 249 g/30 m exemption is only valid outside areas with uncontrolled airfields.

 

Unlike LO R 15 and LO R 18, the LO R 16 area is not permanently active.
In August and September, no operational authorization from Austro Control is required for UAS flights within LO R 16.
 
However, please note that the environmental protection laws of Lake Neusiedl remain in effect at all times. Before conducting a flight, you must contact the Burgenland State Government for approval.
 
In addition to these permanent flight restriction areas (LO R zones), there are also temporary flight restrictions. These restrictions are officially issued by regulation and displayed in our Austro Control Dronespace System. Therefore, always check geographical restrictions before each flight.
 
Austria also has temporary flight restriction areas specifically designated for drone operations. These areas are officially declared by the Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation, and Technology (BMK) through a regulation.
 
Such a temporary restricted area can be activated by the test area operator via NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) for a specified period. During this time, all other airspace users (both manned and unmanned aircraft) are generally prohibited from entering this area.
 
Currently, Austria has four such temporary drone-specific restricted areas:
 
  • LO R 9 "Steinalpl"
  • LO R 10 "Reichersberg"
  • LO R 11 "Frauschereck"
  • LO R 12 "Hochkar"

For further inquiries, feel free to contact us at .

The following Austrian civilian flight restriction areas must be observed:

Map overview of Austria’s civil restricted airspaces – relevant airspace limitations for drone flights