While around 64,000 passengers were counted in the first year of operation, there are now 30 million. As a sort of birthday present, the agreement between AUA management and the union on a new collective agreement for on-board staff was announced during the event.
This is “really, really great news for the location,” said airport board member Julian Jäger. “I’m very pleased,” said Vienna’s mayor and state governor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) when he acknowledged the agreement at the AUA. The airport is also “strengthened as a result”.
Emma Setzer (94) from Fischamend was invited to the anniversary event as a contemporary witness. She was employed at the airport from 1954 to 1984. “40 people” were at the first Christmas party, the employee from the first hour recalled.
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“Generous gesture”
It was a “generous gesture” that Great Britain returned Vienna Airport, the then Royal Air Force (RAF) Station Vienna, to Austria in 1954, it was emphasized at the ceremony. Ambassador Lindsay Skoll therefore spoke of a “small role” that the kingdom plays in the airport’s success story. In a video message, Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) described the airport as a “crucial infrastructure” and one of the most important employers.
State Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner and Ludwig, as owner representatives, once again emphasized the importance of the transport hub for the business location. The ÖVP politician spoke of a “job engine”. She also emphasized the cooperation between the two federal states and the airport, which should continue to be “lived, nurtured and cared for” in the spirit of the location. An economic engine like Vienna needs well-functioning infrastructure. The airport plays a very special role in this, said Ludwig.
- Read more: Vienna Airport increased profits to more than 188 million euros
As far as “flight shame” is concerned, Mikl-Leitner pointed out that the airport is doing “everything” “to work in a CO2-neutral manner”. What is still needed is synthetic fuel. Ludwig also emphasized the importance of taking measures against climate change. He also announced that he would work together with ÖBB to ensure even stronger connections to the hub in Schwechat from neighboring countries to the east.
“Incredible Journey”
Airport board member Jäger looked back on an “incredible journey” on Thursday evening. 30 million passengers are “as many as Prague, Budapest and Bratislava have together”. The most important players for growth are “the partners” of the airport. “We are full of enthusiasm,” emphasized fellow board member Günther Ofner and referred to a “clear corporate strategy.” The view into the future is therefore optimistic.
“We will continue to invest,” announced Jäger. Ofner spoke of four billion euros in the next ten years. The number of passengers by then will probably increase to 35 to 40 million annually. Jäger named growth, five-star quality and “no CO2 emissions (Net Zero CO2) by 2033” as the three priority goals that would be pursued.
Vienna Airport had its origins in Schwechat as early as 1938 as a military airfield for the German Air Force. For the victims of the two subcamps of the Mauthausen concentration camp there, the “Never Forget” memorial was unveiled on the departure level in front of Terminal 3 in autumn 2021. After the end of the Second World War, the area was taken over by the British occupying forces and operated as the Royal Air Force (RAF) Station Vienna. The actual starting signal as a domestic airport took place on December 11, 1953 with the founding of “Wiener Flughafenbetriebsgesellschaft mbH”. In January 1954, Austria’s first privately managed airport began operations.
In the first year as many passengers as today in one day
In the first year, the airport in Schwechat had 64,211 passengers – that’s how many there are now in a single day. Around 30 million passengers are expected in the anniversary year of 2024. The previous record was 31.7 million in 2019.
- More on the topic: 30 million passengers in 2023: Vienna Airport also predicts record numbers in 2024
The first highlight in the expansion of the infrastructure was the extension of what was then runway 12/30 (today 11/29) in 1959. This was followed by the opening of the new terminal building a year later and the commissioning of the second runway (16/34) in October 1977. The listing on the stock exchange in 1992 is considered a “pivotal event in the history of the airport”.
This is how the airport in Vienna developed
The City Airport Train (CAT) started in 2003 and the 109 meter high new tower went into operation in 2005. A year later, the new VIP and general aviation terminal building was opened. Terminal 3 has been there since 2012, and Office Park 4 has been there for four years now, where the airport anniversary event also took place. At the beginning of 2023, Vienna Airport put one of the largest PV systems in Austria into operation.
Construction work is currently underway on the new southern extension of Terminal 3, which is scheduled to go into operation in 2027. Last but not least, the much-discussed third runway is considered a future project. The Federal Administrative Court (BVwG) has approved the project.
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