Salzburg Airport will celebrate a historic milestone in its corporate history in 2026. Since its founding in 1926, the site has developed from a modest airfield into one of the most important transport hubs in the heart of Europe. To properly commemorate this anniversary, the airport company invites everyone to a comprehensive airport festival on June 20, 2026.
The event, designed as an open house, offers the general public a rare opportunity to look behind the scenes of flight operations and experience firsthand the infrastructural importance of Austria's largest regional airport. With approximately 1,8 million passengers annually, the airport now serves as an indispensable economic engine for the entire Euregio region of Salzburg and Bavaria. The anniversary not only serves as a retrospective of pioneering technical achievements and illustrious state visits, but also marks the start of the most extensive modernization phase in the airport's history: the new terminal infrastructure project.
Pioneering spirit and the rise to international gateway
The success story of Salzburg's air transport began in August 1926, when the then-named Lufthansa, Luft Hansa, launched the first commercial flight connection between Munich, Salzburg, and Bad Reichenhall. What started with a small group of visionaries quickly developed into a stable economic structure. As early as the 1930s, the first modern terminal buildings were constructed to meet the growing demand for mobility in the region. After the turmoil of World War II, during which the area was used for military purposes, the US occupying forces took over the undamaged site in 1945.
During the reconstruction phase, Salzburg became the cradle of modern Austrian aviation. A decisive turning point was the expansion of the runway in 1955 and the opening of a new terminal building in 1966, just in time for the Salzburg Festival. This expansion paved the way for the jet age and solidified the city's reputation as a destination for international celebrities and state guests. Historic moments, such as the landing of US President Richard Nixon in 1974 and the summit meeting between President Gerald Ford and Egyptian leader Sadat the following year, underscored the location's diplomatic importance.
Technical milestones and infrastructure development
With the dawn of the 1970s, the airport's technical capacity grew steadily. The extension of the runway to 2.850 meters and the installation of state-of-the-art instrument landing systems enabled the operation of wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 747 and the Airbus A300. Spectacular visits by the Concorde in the 1980s also demonstrated the airport's high level of technical expertise. The airport successfully positioned itself as an Alpine gateway, particularly for winter tourism from Eastern Europe and Russia.
At the turn of the millennium, the emergence of low-cost airlines like Ryanair and easyJet fundamentally transformed the market. The opening of Amadeus Terminal 2 in 2005, along with massive investments in parking garages, cargo buildings, and Red Bull's distinctive Hangar 7, transformed the site into a multifunctional business park. A particular technological highlight was the new control tower, completed in 2014, which remains one of the most modern towers in Europe. Despite structural changes, such as Air Berlin's withdrawal in 2017, the location has maintained its regional market leadership through new partnerships – most notably with Lufthansa subsidiary Eurowings.
Economic engine and employer for the region
Today, Salzburg Airport is far more than just a transport infrastructure. With over 2.000 jobs directly on site and more than 100 resident companies and government agencies, it is one of the state's key economic drivers. Governor Karoline Edtstadler emphasizes the airport's role as a key factor in attracting new businesses and fostering international competitiveness. The close ties with the regional economy are also evident in its role as a partner for emergency services and the military, who will also be represented at the anniversary celebration.
The airport's economic strength is reflected in its dense network of routes connecting Salzburg with global hubs such as Frankfurt, London, Istanbul, and Dubai. The direct connection to Dubai, operated as a codeshare with Emirates, represents a historic milestone in the development of markets outside Europe. Despite the disruption caused by the global pandemic in 2020, which brought air traffic to a near standstill at times, the company was able to secure all jobs and emerge stronger from the crisis through consistent crisis management and government support measures such as short-time work schemes.
A glimpse into the future: The new terminal landscape project
Under the leadership of airport CEO Bettina Ganghofer, the company is now facing its biggest construction challenge to date. The new terminal complex project is intended to ensure that Salzburg Airport continues to meet the high demands for efficiency and passenger comfort for decades to come. Mayor Bernhard Auinger sees this project as a clear commitment to shaping the future of the city of Salzburg as a modern and cosmopolitan location.
The planned anniversary celebration on June 20, 2026, in the Terminal 2 area will provide the setting to present these visions to the public. In addition to aviation industry exhibits and demonstrations by emergency services, the event will primarily focus on engaging with the local community. To avoid disrupting operations, a detailed shuttle system will be in place, and due to limited parking, organizers recommend using public transportation. This celebration will complete a journey that began in 1926 with a pioneering spirit and has now culminated in a highly competent, internationally networked transportation hub.