Austria's airspace was left unprotected over the weekend as the Eurofighter jets remained grounded due to a shortage of air traffic controllers.

This unprecedented situation arose from a long-standing issue of insufficient personnel, exacerbated by many controllers moving to better-paying civilian roles.

Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner has tasked the General Staff with finding immediate solutions.

The Ministry of Public Service, responsible for salaries, has been criticized for not addressing the problem sooner.

The situation highlights the vulnerability of Austria's air defense, with potential risks if unknown aircraft enter the airspace.

The government is under pressure to resolve the issue swiftly to prevent future lapses in national security.