2023 was a very good year for Vienna Airportwhich continued to dominate traffic throughout Central and Eastern Europe. The Austrian hub welcomed 29.53 million passengersbeating by far the traffic recorded on the Warsaw airports (18.5 million passengers), the Budapest (14.7 million passengers) and Prague (13.82 million).. This figure was higher than the initial forecasts.
" The strong appetite for travel after the pandemic continued in 2023, leading to a marked upturn in passenger numbers at Vienna airport. With 29,53 million passengers, in 2023 we recorded the second best passenger figures in the airport's historyThis represents 93.3 % of the record year 2019. Despite this significant figure, Vienna airport is the Lufthansa group's busiest hub. It is also the third most punctual platform in Europe" said Julian Jäger, Member of the Board of Flughafen Wien AG.
The number of passengers compared with 2022 has thus jumped by 24.7%. The airport has recovered 93.3% of its 2019 traffic (31.6 million passengers). Within this figure, the number of transfer passengers also recovered to 6.62 million (+14.31TP3Q). The load factor on aircraft departing from Vienna also performed well. At 80.5%, it is 2.8 points higher than in 2022 and is even 3.1 points higher than the occupancy rate for the record year of 2019..
According to airport management, the top three destinations in 2023 in terms of passenger numbers were London in Western Europe, Bucharest in Eastern Europe and Bangkok on long-haul routes. The most popular destination countries were Germany, Spain and Italy.
New expansion work
" For 2024, we expect air traffic growth rates to return to normal. The catch-up effect following the pandemic, which has been exceptionally strong over the last two years, will ease somewhat in 2024 and 2025. we are forecasting passenger volumes of around 30 million for the year as a whole" added Julian Jäger.
2024 will also see the launch of the airport expansion work. The groundbreaking ceremony for the southern extension of terminal 3 will take place in February. Between now and 2027 will be developed 70,000 m² of additional floor space including boarding lounges, relaxation areas and around thirty new shops and restaurants dedicated to Austrian gastronomy and the art of living.
Between now and 2025, the airport will also be increasing its offer of SAFas required by the EU. Vienna will store 20,000 tonnes of bio-kerosene, rising to 50,000 tonnes in 2030 and 200,000 tonnes in 2035.
