Graz Airport concluded the 2025 financial year with a positive balance sheet, recording a significant upward trend in both passenger and cargo traffic. With a total of 831.095 passengers served, the previous year's result was exceeded by approximately 12.000 people, representing an increase of 1,4 percent.
Charter traffic developed particularly dynamically, acting as a key growth driver. Parallel to these operational successes, profound organizational changes were implemented within Holding Graz at the beginning of 2026 to further strengthen the airport as a central mobility hub in southern Austria. By assigning it to the Mobility and Leisure division of the Executive Board and establishing a high-caliber Supervisory Board, the strategic course for the coming years is to be set. Management is optimistic about 2026, based on strong demand for new scheduled services and an expanded range of holiday destinations, which now also includes Olbia in Sardinia.
Positive traffic development and record figures in the freight sector
A detailed analysis of the 2025 traffic figures underscores Graz Airport's stable market position in a competitive environment for regional airports. While scheduled traffic saw a slight increase of 0,6 percent with 617.554 passengers, the charter sector grew by 3,9 percent to 213.541 travelers. Management attributes this development to continued strong demand for leisure travel, reflected in both classic beach vacations and city breaks. Wolfgang Grimus, CEO of Graz Airport, emphasized the positive trend of the last three months of the reporting period, which is seen as an indicator of a continuation of this upward trend in 2026.
The airport achieved particular success in the cargo sector: with a throughput of 19.500 tons, it reported a record result, representing an increase of 4,4 percent compared to the previous year. This record underscores the airport's importance as a logistics hub for Styria's export industry. The combination of rising passenger numbers and a thriving cargo business strengthens the company's economic foundation and secures its role as an indispensable infrastructure provider for the region.
Infrastructural importance in the context of the Area South
The opening of the Koralm Railway and the ongoing construction of the Semmering Base Tunnel are placing Graz Airport geographically and functionally at the heart of the so-called Area South. This new mobility hub connects Styria more closely with neighboring economic regions and increases the airport's attractiveness as a departure point for a wider catchment area. Mark Perz, CEO of Holding Graz, emphasized that the Graz hub now lies at the center of one of Central Europe's most dynamic economic regions.
The integration into the new Holding Graz structure on January 1, 2026, underscores this strategic focus. The airport will henceforth be assigned to the Mobility and Leisure division, which is intended to foster synergies within the city's investment management. This process will be overseen by a newly established supervisory board, chaired by Wolfgang Malik. The board comprises experienced aviation experts and will support management in strategically positioning the airport as a high-performing, internationally networked hub.
Expansion of scheduled services and summer flight schedule 2026
For the upcoming 2026 summer season, Graz Airport has significantly expanded its destination offerings. A total of approximately 35 direct destinations in 14 countries are planned. A key element of the strategy remains the high-frequency connection to six major international hubs. With 27 weekly flights to Frankfurt, 20 flights to Munich, and the same number to Vienna, the airport offers excellent global accessibility. Via these hubs, travelers can reach more than 200 destinations worldwide with just one connection. This offering is complemented by connections to Zurich, Istanbul, Berlin, Düsseldorf, and Hamburg.
In summer 2026, particular emphasis will be placed on the new scheduled service to London, for which strong demand has already been recorded. In the holiday flight segment, the destination of Olbia in Sardinia will be newly added to the flight schedule. In addition, classic destinations such as Antalya, Mallorca, and numerous Greek islands, including Crete, Rhodes, and Kos, will remain integral parts of the program. Niche destinations such as Calvi in Corsica and the Croatian island of Brač will also continue to be served directly from Graz, underscoring the diversity of the regional offerings.
Economic factor and event location
Beyond its core flight operations, Graz Airport has established itself as a significant event location in southeastern Austria. In 2025, the airport grounds hosted numerous high-profile events, including the ReiseZeit travel fair, the Vollmund gourmet event, and the AC Styria Mobility Congress, which attracted 750 international decision-makers and experts to Graz. These non-aviation activities contribute significantly to revenue diversification and strengthen the airport's ties to the regional economy and society.
The airport also makes its mark as an employer. The renewed award of the quality seal for workplace health promotion (BGF) for another three years demonstrates a sustainable human resources policy. According to Gert Heigl, CEO of Holding Graz, the regional airport ensures international accessibility for companies, supports the export sector, and attracts skilled workers and investors. This makes the airport a key asset for the state capital and the entire Styria region.
Modernization of the technical infrastructure
To meet the demands of a modern airport, Graz Airport continuously invests in its technical infrastructure. A significant project is the planned ground-mounted photovoltaic system on the airport grounds, which is expected to reach a capacity of approximately 16 MWp in its first phase. This system will be built on about 11 percent of the airport's grassland and is intended to make a substantial contribution to the site's energy supply. Measures already implemented, such as the electrical ground power supply for aircraft and the installation of PV systems on parking garage roofs, demonstrate the airport's technological leadership among Austrian regional airports.
In the near future, the complete conversion of the lighting in the large equipment hall and the glider hangar to LED technology is planned. The vehicle fleet will also be modernized gradually: the acquisition of new electric vehicles for the apron coordinator, as well as electric drinking water vehicles and conveyor belts, are integral parts of the investment plan. These technological innovations not only serve to increase efficiency but also position Graz Airport as a modern business location that consistently integrates technological progress into its operational processes.