Eurowings Europe to transfer registration to Malta

Lufthansa Group has announced it will gradually transfer 19 Airbus A319/320 and crews from its Austria-registered ‘Eurowings Europe’ to a new Maltese company to be established in March.

When operating in Austria, most of the taxes and social security contributions are to be paid there, regardless the workers’ actual country of residence and employment.

However, most of its employees are living and working in other countries, the group explained.

Registering a company in Malta makes it possible to pay employees’ taxes and social security contributions in full in their respective country of employment.

The Austrian workers’ union ‘vida’ has called on the company to start talks with the union immediately.

“I cannot and do not want to believe vague announcements by the airline that there won’t be any deterioration for the employees”, said Daniel Liebhart, head of the union’s aviation department.

Liebhard also referred to the financial support given to Eurowings and its parent company Lufthansa Group during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As a thank-you, they are now taking the first opportunity to evade taxes”, he said.