The corona pandemic almost brought tourism to a standstill. Although the booking numbers are currently skyrocketing and many corona restrictions around the world have been lifted, airlines and airports still have to fight. This also applies to Altenrhein Airport.

In the first quarter of this year there are still strong losses - both in flights and passengers. Compared to the first quarter of 2020 - i.e. already in the middle of the pandemic - it is only a third of the flights and only a sixth of the passengers. The airport managers suspect the situation in Austria to be the cause. “Austria still had relatively strict entry regulations in the first quarter. That's why demand was low," Thomas Krutzler, CEO of People's Air Group, told TVO. The home office and also travel stops by employers would have contributed to this. The Ukraine war also played its part.

Nevertheless, looking to the future should give cause for optimism. According to those responsible, the situation is now easing. However, this is a long way from the times before the pandemic. In the medium term, Krutzler expects half of the passengers on the route between Altenrhein and Vienna. In the charter sector, travelers need to catch up and, accordingly, demand is greater. Here the flights are well booked.