The state capital Klagenfurt is preparing for a significant upgrade of its transport infrastructure. At the heart of the latest decisions by the main committee is the renaming of the Klagenfurt Annabichl S-Bahn station to Klagenfurt Airport Annabichl.
This measure, initiated by the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ), aims to significantly increase the visibility and accessibility of Klagenfurt Airport within the national rail network. With the full commissioning of the Koralm Railway, Klagenfurt Airport will move geographically and logistically closer to the center of the southern Austrian transport corridor. In addition to the name change, a structural upgrade of the connecting path is planned: a roof over the approximately 700-meter-long section between the platform and the terminal will considerably improve passenger comfort. This will reposition the airport in competition with neighboring regional airports and ensure optimized connections to the high-speed network of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB).
The Koralm Railway as a strategic accelerator
The decision to rename the station comes at a time of profound change in the Austrian railway system. The Koralm Railway, one of Europe's most significant infrastructure projects, is drastically reducing travel times between Klagenfurt and Graz. In this context, Annabichl station is gaining in importance. With a travel time of just five minutes from Klagenfurt's main train station and only one stop, the station offers a speed that surpasses many international transport hubs. A comparison with other locations illustrates the potential: In Graz, the S-Bahn takes eleven minutes from the main train station to the airport, and the station there was renamed Graz-Feldkirchen Airport years ago to emphasize its intermodality.
Officials in Klagenfurt argue that the Carinthian airport is effectively the closest airport to the Koralm Railway. This proximity will now be officially reflected in the airport's designation in ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) timetables and international booking systems. The renaming is therefore not merely a formality, but a marketing tool to attract passengers from the wider Styria and Carinthia region who wish to benefit from the shorter travel times.
Structural measures and increased comfort
A major point of criticism regarding the use of the Annabichl station has been the exposed walkway to the airport terminal. While the station is within a comfortable walking distance of approximately 700 meters, the weather has diminished the attractiveness of this access route. As part of the station's redesign, airport management has indicated its willingness to cover the costs of constructing a roof over the walkway. This investment is considered a necessary step to meet the premium standards of a modern commercial airport.
Interestingly, this construction project creates a synergy effect for the local population: visitors to the nearby Annabichl Cemetery would also benefit from the weather-protected path. The project thus combines the interests of international travel with the needs of Klagenfurt's citizens. Experts consider the distance of 700 meters to be short by international standards; at major airports like Frankfurt or London Heathrow, passengers often cover significantly longer distances on foot within the terminals.
Comparison with regional competitors
The infrastructure upgrade can also be seen as a response to developments in the Alpe-Adria region. Trieste Airport has a train station just 600 meters away, while Ljubljana Airport has no direct rail connection at all. Klagenfurt sees itself in an advantageous position here, which will be further strengthened by the Koralm Railway. Effective integration into the S-Bahn (suburban rail) system allows the airport to be positioned as a stress-free alternative to larger hubs.
The Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) are now required to implement the conversion of their digital and physical information systems promptly. This includes not only changing station signs but also adapting announcements on trains and updating map services. The goal is a seamless information chain that signals to passengers during the planning phase that transferring from train to plane in Klagenfurt is possible without complicated shuttle systems.
Economic prospects and location policy
The renaming is part of a broader strategy to secure the economic viability of Klagenfurt Airport and increase its passenger numbers. Improved rail connections are considered a fundamental prerequisite for the growth of a regional airport in modern transport planning. The Koralm Railway theoretically extends the airport's catchment area far into Styria. Passengers who previously chose Vienna or Munich airports due to their better accessibility could increasingly utilize local services thanks to the optimized interchange in Annabichl.
Politicians emphasize that this advantage must be actively leveraged in the competition between locations. Intermodality, the integration of different modes of transport, is a key factor in the attractiveness of a business location. Klagenfurt is relying on a cost-effective yet impactful measure. The costs of simply renaming the street are manageable compared to large new construction projects, while the psychological effect on travelers and the improved visibility in navigation systems are considered significant.
Future scenarios for the airport stop
In the long term, the Klagenfurt Airport Annabichl station could become a prime example of integrating regional airports into the national rail network. Experts are already discussing further improvements, such as digital check-in kiosks directly on the platform or integrated ticketing solutions that combine rail and air travel. Such offerings would further highlight the time advantage of the five-minute S-Bahn journey.
The roofing of the walkway is just the first physical step. Should passenger numbers increase due to the improved connection, automated transport systems or moving walkways, as are common at large airports, could also be considered. For now, however, the project focuses on the swift implementation of the main committee's decision and the basic structural infrastructure, so that the airport can already advertise its new name and improved comfort at the start of the next flight season.
Following the political decision, the ball is now in the court of the operational units. The city administration, together with the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), will coordinate the exact timetable for the technical conversion. At the same time, the plans for the roof must be finalized and the corresponding approval processes initiated.
Financing by Klagenfurt Airport appears to be secured, as the project is considered a key component in the airport's development. With the opening of the Koralm Railway, the timeframe is tight to optimally manage the new traffic flows and establish Klagenfurt Airport as an integral part of the supra-regional travel network.