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The Axamer Lizum ski resort in Tyrol has announced that it will not be able to open the ski lifts in winter. This requires the approval of the Ministry of Transport, because the cable cars are required to operate
Vienna Austrian winter tourism has never faced such a situation. Individual ski areas are already considering keeping them closed in winter. Especially if the Germany travel advisories are still correct. But simply blocking it is not possible. Because cable cars are de facto public transport. You have the obligation to carry. So if you want to lock it, this must be approved by the responsible authorities.
In particular, the Axamer Lizum ski area in Tyrol caused a stir. Due to the Corona situation, the operators have submitted an application to the Transport Ministry for a “temporary exemption from the obligation to operate this winter.” On Monday, however, they made it clear that it was a necessary “precautionary measure”, in principle they want to “keep it open and be there for you” in the coming winter, as indicated in a statement to the “Friends of Lizum” se call.
Franz Hörl, president of the professional association for the cable car industry of the Chamber of Commerce, referred to the prevailing uncertainty in an interview with the “press”. The fact that an entire ski area requests an exemption from the operational obligation, especially in winter, “has never been seen before”. Hörl refers to the current legal situation. The cable cars receive concessions from the authorities, which also stipulate operating times. In the worst case, if they are not followed, the license can be withdrawn. It cannot be ruled out that other ski areas also take similar precautionary measures.
“Big losses” threaten
However, it cannot be assumed that the ski area will be closed completely. If the crisis continues in spring, the ski lifts are likely to close earlier. So after Easter, which is early April next year. Many ski areas should have the gondolas up and running by the end of April in accordance with the current duty of operation. However, if this does not pay off economically, it is necessary to anticipate it and inform the responsible bodies of the Ministry of Transport or the state government.
Axamer Lizum wants to “prepare for all eventualities”
Those responsible for the Axamer Lizum ski area are concerned about “taking precautions not to incur large losses.” It is the company’s duty to prepare for all eventualities in order to “actively react to the situation,” said management, adding: “The operating obligation represents an intolerable economic risk for our company in the coming winter.” Compared to ORF Tirol, she stressed that it was not a question of keeping the ski area closed from the beginning, but of being able to decide whether to close it during the season based on the impending blockade or travel warnings.
In the request, the missing amendments to the legal situation for compensation claims from the Epidemic Law, travel advisories from neighboring countries with cancellations in recent days, and the negative economic outlook associated with it were mentioned as reasons for the measure. mountain railway. The communities of Axams, Grinzens, Birgitz and Götzens as co-shareholders have already been informed.
