“The airport in Salzburg, Austria, has a counter for people who flew to Austria instead of Australia.”
Stand up for the facts!
Our only agenda is to publish the truth so you can be an informed participant in democracy.
We need your help.
I would like to contribute
An Austrian Airlines plane flies low over the Alps on approach to Innsbruck airport, Austria, on Jan. 2, 2023. (AP)
Bad day, errant flight? Don’t expect relief at the Salzburg Airport
If Your Time is short
This rumor stems from an ad. No such counter exists, according to the airport.
A social media post poised to encourage people is unfortunately premised on a faulty claim about an airport service counter catering to people who made one costly and time-consuming mistake.
"If you’re having a bad day," a recent Instagram post said, "just remember that the airport in Salzburg, Austria, has a counter for people who flew to Austria instead of Australia."
It was flagged as part of Meta’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram.)
The Salzburg Airport didn’t immediately respond to PolitiFact’s questions about the post, but an airport spokesperson told The Washington Post and Swedish publication The Local that no such counter exists.
"I have never heard of anyone traveling to Salzburg by mistake, when they actually wanted to go to Australia," Susanne Buchebner, the deputy head of public relations for the airport, told the Post in an email.
Featured Fact-check
Buchebner also said the rumor stems from an ad run several years ago by Commend, a company selling intercom systems.
A photo of such a Commend ad recently drew more than 2.8 million views on X.
"Sorry, this is Austria not Australia!" the text in the ad says. "Need help? Please press the button."
Beneath this message, in smaller text, reads: "Commend provides security and communication. From Salzburg to the rest of the world. Even for the most unlikely of situations."
We rate claims that this counter exists False.
Our Sources
Instagram post, Oct. 27, 2023
The Local, Do people really mistakenly fly to Austria instead of Australia?, Oct. 16, 2023
The Washington Post, No, people aren’t mistakenly flying to Austria instead of Australia, Oct. 26, 2023
X post, Oct. 15, 2023
Browse the Truth-O-Meter
More by Ciara O'Rourke
Bad day, errant flight? Don’t expect relief at the Salzburg Airport
Support independent fact-checking.
Become a member!
In a world of wild talk and fake news, help us stand up for the facts.