The Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) are continuing with the planning for the airport link, a new high-performance railway line, as planned. The approximately 26-kilometer-long infrastructure project is intended to efficiently connect northern Burgenland and eastern Lower Austria with Vienna-Schwechat Airport and Vienna city center. With an estimated investment of almost 1,9 billion euros, the project is one of the most important railway projects in Austria.
The plans are currently in the phase of official procedures, which also includes the environmental impact assessment. As ÖBB General Director Andreas Matthä confirms, it is particularly important in this phase to enter into dialogue with affected residents and citizens' initiatives. The route should be designed in such a way that the interests of the population are taken into account as best as possible.
Improved connections for communities and new regional train station
In addition to an optimized connection between Vienna-Schwechat Airport and the existing rail network, several communities along the new route will also benefit from better connections. The airport link will provide Klein-Neusiedl, Schwadorf and Enzersdorf an der Fischa in particular with an efficient rail infrastructure for the first time.
The plan is for the line to branch off to the south after the airport tunnel, run east of the airport and finally pass under the Fischamend–Mannersdorf railway line and the Fischa in a tunnel near Enzersdorf an der Fischa. A new underground regional train station will be built in this area, which will provide commuters from the region with faster connections.
After this section, the line continues in a southeasterly direction, crosses the Eastern Railway west of Sarasdorf and then runs along it to Bruck an der Leitha.
Maximum speed of 250 km/h – construction time planned for seven years
The airport link is designed for a maximum speed of up to 250 km/h and is intended to significantly speed up rail traffic in eastern Austria. The schedule calls for the environmental impact assessment to be completed by 2026 and the relevant permits to be issued by the Ministry of Transport.
The first preparatory work is scheduled to begin in 2027. Construction is then expected to take around seven years, meaning that the entire route is scheduled to be completed and put into operation in 2034.
Economic and transport significance of the project
The infrastructure project is seen as an important milestone in improving public transport in eastern Austria. Through the optimized connection to Vienna-Schwechat Airport, the airport link is intended to strengthen both domestic and international rail traffic.
The new route will bring significant benefits, particularly for commuters from northern Burgenland and eastern Lower Austria. The planned high-speed connections will enable more efficient use of rail transport and reduce dependence on road transport.
Despite the high investment costs, experts expect positive economic effects in the long term. The improved accessibility of the airport could be a decisive advantage for both companies and travelers. In addition, the new route strengthens the Eastern Railway as a central transport axis in the Austrian rail network.
Challenges and open questions
As is usual with large infrastructure projects, the airport link also presents challenges. In addition to technical questions about the route, the focus is primarily on the impact on the communities affected. Citizens' initiatives and residents are already expressing concerns about noise pollution, soil sealing and possible interference with existing structures.
The ÖBB emphasizes that they are in close contact with the population and are striving for solutions that meet both the traffic requirements and the interests of local residents. In the coming years, detailed planning and public participation will be crucial in order to defuse potential conflicts at an early stage.
The airport link therefore not only represents an important step forward in Austrian rail transport, but is also an ambitious major project that involves a variety of challenges.
and 