Vienna Airport is taking another strategic step toward sustainably strengthening Austria as an air cargo hub. With the establishment of the innovative "Air Cargo Basic Course 5.0" by the AviationNOW Air Cargo Academy at Vienna AirportCity, a practice-oriented training and continuing education program is being created.
This program is specifically aimed at employees of freight forwarders, airlines, and logistics companies and promises in-depth expertise directly at the heart of the industry. The initiative aims to secure urgently needed skilled workers for a sector of growing importance to the Austrian economy and, at the same time, contributes to strengthening Vienna Airport as a job engine.
Air Freight Basic Course 5.0: Training where the freight rolls
The heart of this new initiative is the “Air Freight Basic Course 5.0”, which is located directly in Vienna AirportCity. This innovative training and continuing education program aims to close the gap in qualified specialists in the air cargo sector. The practice-oriented training is primarily aimed at employees of Freight forwarders, airlines and logistics companieswho work in the air freight sector or would like to qualify for it.
"Those who rely on skilled workers secure the future! Aviation, as a growth industry, particularly needs qualified experts. With this new training initiative, Vienna Airport and the Air Cargo Academy are creating good conditions for a professional career in the air cargo sector. This also strengthens Vienna Airport as a job engine with its 23.000 employees in 250 companies," emphasized Dr. Günther Ofner, Member of the Management Board of Flughafen Wien AGThis statement underlines the strategic importance of the initiative for the airport itself, which is not only a transport hub but also a vital employer for the region.
Mag. Wolfgang Scheibenpflug MRICS, Head of Real Estate and Site Management at Vienna Airport AG, emphasized: "Industry experts are the backbone of functioning logistics. Especially in the air freight sector, where speed, security, and global connectivity are crucial, expertise and practical relevance are required." He also emphasized the ideal conditions that Vienna AirportCity offers for practical training and further education, with its excellent infrastructure, proximity to the cargo center, and direct connection to the international air traffic network.
The first implementation of the basic course last week was already successful. Participants from well-known Austrian freight forwarding companies were able to not only acquire theoretical knowledge, but also received Site management also a comprehensive insight into the operational processes of cargo handling at Vienna Airport. This included all steps from cargo acceptance and warehousing to complex customs procedures. The opportunity to experience the acquired knowledge directly in practice and to understand the real processes is a decisive advantage of this training model. Due to the high demand, the next course date for 13. to 16. October 2025 which underlines the relevance and need for such specialized training opportunities.
The AviationNOW Air Cargo Academy: Practical know-how at the hub
The AviationNOW Air Cargo Academy was launched by the GrowNow Group KG to meet this need for specialized training. Roland Zistler, Managing Director of GrowNow Group KG, expressed his delight at the cooperation with Vienna Airport: "We are delighted to have gained a strong partner in Vienna Airport. Our Air Cargo Academy imparts practical know-how at an international level – with direct access to one of Austria's most important cargo hubs. This is training and continuing education where air cargo happens."
This approach of providing training directly at the scene is invaluable for the air cargo industry. The complexity of international supply chains, strict security regulations, and the need for fast and precise operations require a high degree of specialization and up-to-date expertise. Training courses that offer this practical relevance are therefore particularly effective. Compared to purely theoretical courses, the proximity to the airport allows participants to experience real-life scenarios and understand processes directly, significantly increasing the quality of the training. This is crucial for optimally preparing employees for the demands of everyday work.
The Austrian air freight industry has experienced steady growth in recent years, driven by increasing online trade and the globalization of goods flows. According to Statistics Austria and analyses by the Association of Freight Forwarding & Logistics Air freight plays a key role in connecting Austria to global markets and in the export of high-value goods such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, and machinery. This growth requires continuous development of the workforce's skills.
Vienna AirportCity: An award-winning business campus as an ideal location
The partnership with the Air Cargo Academy strengthens the position of Vienna Airport City as a modern and future-proof business location. AirportCity is far more than just a collection of offices and warehouses; it is a fully integrated business campus that offers companies top-notch infrastructure. This includes excellent transport links, a variety of hotels, a wide range of dining options, medical care, an education campus, and modern coworking spaces.
The locational advantage of Vienna AirportCity lies in its direct connection to Vienna International Airport, which serves as a hub for passenger and cargo flights. This enables companies in AirportCity to optimally utilize the benefits of global connectivity. 250 companies you can find it with more than 23.000 employees are already taking advantage of the location's benefits. These include numerous logistics companies, freight forwarders, and airline offices, which benefit from the immediate proximity to the freight center and its operational processes.
The strategic development of Vienna AirportCity is an important component of Vienna Airport's overall strategy to consolidate its position as a leading hub in Central and Eastern Europe. The campus has already received multiple awards and is considered a model for the development of business areas near the airport. Vienna AirportCity offers optimal conditions for companies seeking a sustainable location with an international focus and seeking to benefit from the synergies of a dynamic aviation environment. Investments in infrastructure and services continue to attract companies and contribute to the creation of new jobs.
Significance for Austria as a business location
Vienna Airport’s initiative to invest in the training of air cargo experts is a clear commitment to Austria as a business location and its connection to global flows of goods. An efficient air freight infrastructure and highly qualified personnel are essential to ensuring the competitiveness of Austrian companies in international trade. Air freight enables the rapid transport of time-critical goods, which is crucial for many industries, particularly in mechanical engineering, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals.
The continuous development of air cargo capacities and services at Vienna Airport, coupled with targeted training initiatives, strengthens Austria's position as a logistics hub at the heart of Europe. This is also important in the context of global challenges facing supply chains. Experiences of recent years have shown the importance of resilient and efficient logistics networks. By promoting skilled workers, Vienna Airport is investing not only in its own future but also in the resilience of the entire Austrian export economy.
With the new Air Cargo Academy at Vienna AirportCity, Vienna Airport is setting a forward-looking example to strengthen the air cargo sector. The practical training of specialists directly at the hub will improve the efficiency and security of logistics chains and further consolidate the airport as a significant job generator and business location. This initiative underscores Vienna Airport's commitment to responding to the increasing demands of global trade and expanding Austria's role as a key hub in international air cargo transport.