The Austrian aviation industry has experienced an unprecedented rollercoaster ride in recent years. Following the abrupt slump in 2020, which brought international air traffic to a near standstill, a phase of slow but steady recovery began, culminating in a strong upswing in 2024 and 2025.
An analysis of passenger and cargo volumes at the six largest airports in Vienna, Graz, Klagenfurt, Linz, Salzburg, and Innsbruck reveals not only the resilience of the industry but also the differentiated developments at the individual locations. While passenger traffic was able to almost completely offset the losses of the pandemic years, air cargo reached new record levels. This comprehensive report examines the development of each airport in detail, particularly comparing monthly data for 2024 and 2025 to highlight the most recent trends.
Vienna Schwechat Airport: Stability, recovery and new records
Vienna International Airport, the leading air traffic hub in Central Europe, is the most impressive example of the industry's recovery. After a dramatic decline in passenger numbers to just 3,9 million in 2020, a slow recovery began. 2023, with over 29,5 million passengers, was already marked by a strong recovery. In 2024, with 31,7 million travelers, the airport not only recorded an impressive increase of 7,4 percent over the previous year, but also surpassed the pre-crisis level of 2019.
Monthly comparisons for 2024 and 2025 show stable development at a high level. Preliminary figures for the current year indicate that passenger volume will continue to rise slightly, with a forecast of around 32 million passengers for the entire year 2025. The strong increase in the first half of 2025 confirms the continued desire to travel and the importance of Vienna as an international hub.
Vienna Airport has experienced an even more spectacular development in the cargo sector. While cargo handling fell to 2020 tons in 234.138, it experienced a continuous increase in the following years. Cargo volume reached a new historic high of over 2024 tons in 242.400, an increase of 17,6 percent compared to 2023. The preliminary monthly data for 2025 show a continuation of this upward trend, even if it is expected to be July 2025 There was a slight decline of 3,4 percent compared to the same month last year. This development underscores the airport's role as a crucial link in the global supply chain.
Graz-Thalerhof Airport: Styrian dynamism and persistent recovery
Graz Airport has experienced a steady revival in recent years. Passenger numbers fell to just 2020 in 199.510, but recovered steadily to 733.146 in 2023 and 819.273 in 2024. This means that the airport reached 2024 percent of its pre-crisis level of 79 in 2019. Preliminary data for 2025 show a mixed picture. A slight decline of 1,9 percent in passenger numbers was recorded in the first half of the year. However, this temporary setback does not diminish the long-term positive trend.
In the cargo sector, Graz Airport's development is also characterized by stability. With a total tonnage of over 18.600 tons in 2024, including replacement traffic, the airport maintains its role as an important logistics partner for Styrian industry. While the pure air freight figures are low, the consistent overall volumes testify to the location's relevance for the region's trade.
Klagenfurt Airport: From low point to high point
Klagenfurt Airport experienced a slow and difficult recovery after plummeting to just 23.730 passengers in 2020. In 2024, the airport even recorded a decline of 10,2 percent compared to 2023. However, the data for 2025 signal a remarkable turnaround. In the first half of 2025, the airport recorded impressive growth of 28 percent in passenger traffic.
Die Monate Mai and June The 2025 figures were the highest in more than a decade, with around 21.000 passengers each. This success is due to the introduction of new flight connections and the strengthening of existing routes, such as the one to Vienna. Cargo handling plays only a minor role in Klagenfurt, which is why the analysis primarily focuses on passenger traffic. In terms of passenger traffic, Klagenfurt is still far below the figures achieved in the early 2000s. However, these figures were achieved at a high price through the granting of subsidies and grants to airlines.
Linz Airport: A paradoxical development
The development at Linz-Hörsching Airport is characterized by a paradoxical dynamic. While passenger volume fell by 2024 percent to 22,4 tons in 180.485, cargo volume increased considerably by 25,5 percent to 15.265 tons. The passenger decline was primarily due to the temporary suspension of important flight connections.
However, preliminary figures for 2025 show a clear recovery in passenger traffic. With a massive increase of 61,5 percent in the first half of 2025, driven by the resumption of strategic flight connections, Linz Airport demonstrates its ability to quickly adapt to market conditions. The upward trend in cargo business continued, with an increase of three percent in the first half of 2025. Linz Airport is increasingly establishing itself as an important cargo hub for the regional economy.
Due to the fact that Austrian Airlines has announced the discontinuation of its hub connection to Frankfurt am Main, passenger numbers in Linz are expected to decline again. According to current information, Ryanair remains – at least for the time being – the only scheduled carrier. The state government plans to tender the Frankfurt flights as a so-called PSO-subsidized route.
Salzburg Airport: Driving force for tourism
Salzburg Airport, the gateway to the Alpine tourism regions, recorded a drastic decline in passenger traffic to 2020 travelers in 120.785. A strong recovery began in the following years, culminating in passenger traffic of almost 2024 million in 1,8, an increase of 10,7 percent compared to 2023. The airport thus almost reached pre-crisis levels. The monthly data for 2025 show a stabilization at a high level.
Although a slight decline of 2025 percent was recorded in the first half of 3,6, airport management is optimistic that it will maintain the previous year's high level for the full year. This is primarily due to the robust winter season and the positive development of the off-season. Cargo handling plays a minor role in Salzburg and is statistically less relevant.
Innsbruck Airport: Resilience and Recovery
Innsbruck Airport, a key hub for Alpine air traffic, experienced a slow but steady recovery after the slump in 2020. In 2024, the airport recorded 862.202 passengers, a respectable result despite capacity constraints. With a load factor of 74 percent, aircraft utilization was four percentage points higher than in 2023. Developments in the first half of 2025 indicate a further recovery, with a 2,1 percent increase in passenger traffic. This positive trend is due to the resumption and strengthening of key connections. Cargo handling is of minor importance in Innsbruck; the airport's primary function remains to connect the tourist region to international air traffic.
In summary, Austrian aviation as a whole is on a clear growth path. Passenger numbers are recovering strongly, driven by tourism, while air freight is setting new records, underscoring the importance of airports as economic drivers. The preliminary figures for 2025 confirm that this trend is continuing, despite occasional fluctuations, and the industry can look to the future with optimism.