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Salzburg Airport: On the road to recovery and looking to the future

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Salzburg Airport looks back on a successful year in 2024, in which the number of passengers exceeded the 1,7 million mark. An increase of 10,7 percent compared to the previous year, which confirms a clear upward trend. The figures from last year show that the airport is on a promising path to recovery and that the effects of the corona pandemic have largely been overcome. Compared to the pre-corona year of 2018, only around 3,2 percent of passengers are missing. This is a remarkable success considering that Salzburg Airport had to close for five weeks in 2019 due to the necessary runway renovation.

"With almost 1,8 million passengers in 2024 and an increase of more than 10 percent, we are well on the way to reaching the 2018 figures again soon," explained Bettina Ganghofer, Managing Director of Salzburg Airport. In 2018, Salzburg Airport reached its previous record of 1.844.000 passengers, meaning that it only needs around 57.000 more passengers to surpass this figure. Those responsible for the airport are optimistic about the coming months, as both the flight volume and the booking situation in the current winter season are positive.

Positive start to the 2024/2025 winter season

The 2024/2025 winter season is promising. A late Easter date and optimal snow conditions contribute to the satisfaction of the tourism industry. The booking situation is particularly strong during the peak season periods such as Christmas, New Year's Eve and the semester break, while at other times there is also increased demand for short-term and flexible bookings. Salzburg Airport benefits from the direct connection to the ski and tourism regions, which is being further strengthened by the expansion of the regional bus line 270. This offers guests a convenient connection from the airport to the Eben im Pongau region.

Deputy Governor Stefan Schnöll emphasises: "The availability of the direct bus line between the airport and the Alpine regions means we are offering a very good solution for guests who depend on their winter holidays. This means they can reach the slopes without wasting a lot of time in traffic." With the measures to optimise passenger transport, Salzburg Airport is living up to its reputation as the gateway to the Alps and is thus strengthening the tourism sector throughout the entire state. The airport's operations team is well prepared for the demands of the winter season and ensures smooth operations.

economic factor Salzburg Airport

In addition to its role as a tourist attraction, Salzburg Airport is also an important economic factor for the region. It offers almost 1.300 jobs and makes a significant contribution to regional value creation. As an international hub for business travelers and tourists, the airport improves the region's competitiveness and gives companies a direct connection to global markets. Stefan Schnöll, also chairman of the airport's supervisory board, explains: "An easily accessible airport is indispensable for Salzburg as a business location. The airport is an important gateway for companies and offers a decisive competitive advantage."

Salzburg Airport aims to continuously develop and expand its route offering through close cooperation with international airlines. Particularly important is precise market observation and close coordination with airlines in order to stabilize the existing route network and secure new, attractive connections.

Investments in the future: terminal renovation and infrastructure projects

Salzburg Airport invested around 2024 million euros in improving its infrastructure in 8. Significant investments went into security checks, the purchase of new equipment and projects to modernize the airport facilities. One outstanding project is the planned terminal renovation, which is scheduled to begin planning in 2025 and continue in 2026 with the start of construction on the departure terminal.

"The modernization of the terminal is a pioneering project that will make the airport fit for the coming decades. It is necessary to meet the increasing demands placed on modern airports and to offer passengers a comfortable and efficient travel experience," says Bettina Ganghofer. The planned renovation will not only bring the technical equipment up to date, but will also position the airport as a modern, energy-saving and future-proof facility.

Outlook for the 2025 summer flight schedule

The 2025 summer flight schedule also promises a varied range of destinations. In addition to the classic summer destinations such as Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza and Sardinia, two new attractive destinations are being added: Barcelona and Alicante. Salzburg Airport also offers its passengers a wide range of connections in the summer months, whether for a relaxing beach holiday or for city trips. Connections via major hubs such as Frankfurt, Istanbul or Dubai are particularly interesting for long-distance travelers, from where destinations such as Mauritius, Thailand or the USA can be easily reached.

In view of the increasing demand and growing passenger numbers, Salzburg Airport is planning to continuously expand its offering. The commitment to establishing new routes is an important part of the airport's long-term development strategy. "We are continuously working on making the flight network attractive for our guests and further increasing the airport's competitiveness," says Ganghofer.

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