Despite the ongoing corona pandemic and the associated lock-downs, Graz Airport was able to increase its result in all segments compared to the previous year. Despite Omikron, the desire to travel in the summer of the previous year allows us to look to the future with cautious optimism.

The year 2021 has started very difficult worldwide and therefore also for Graz Airport. Almost all of Europe was in lock-down; in Austria, travel regulations were only eased in the course of May. In the first 5 months of 2021, only just over 16.000 passengers could be served. The first half of 2021 was therefore significantly in the red compared to 2020. "With the end of the lock-down and the beginning of the vacation period, we have noticeably gained ground," said Wolfgang Grimus, Managing Director of Graz Airport. "In addition to Vienna, we were able to connect Graz to four other large transfer airports, namely Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Munich and Zurich, as well as to the business centers of Stuttgart and Düsseldorf, and offer a wide range of charter programs." , nevertheless with 2021 passengers an increase of +226.562 percent could be achieved.

In the area of Scheduled flights The travel restrictions in winter and spring naturally had a greater impact, which is why the number of passengers was 7,2 percent (-13.322 passengers) lower than in 2020. This minus could, however, with a plus of 272 percent (+40.374 passengers) in Charter area more than made up for. In terms of movements, a minus of -8 percent (-279 movements) was recorded in the area of ​​scheduled flights. The increase of 178,2 percent (+948 movements) in the charter segment shows that significantly more flights were carried out in 2021 than in 2020 and that these were also better utilized.

With a total volume of 19.250 tonnes and an increase of 18,5 percent or around 3.000 tonnes, that was the case Freight business very pleasingly developed. Important medical products such as FFP32 masks and rapid tests were transported to Graz on a total of 747 cargo flights, mostly with Boeing 2s.

The way food is General aviation has developed strongly due to Corona. A number of companies as well as private travelers have increasingly resorted to this type of transport in order to be able to keep important appointments, which has led to an increase in movement of 28,8 percent.

Confidence for the upcoming summer flight schedule

“Rising vaccination rates and responsible handling of the corona pandemic by air travelers mean that a steady increase in travel volumes can be expected, especially from the second quarter onwards. In scheduled services, we are working together with our airline partners on frequency consolidation and the selective use of larger aircraft to the existing destinations Vienna, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Amsterdam, Düsseldorf and Stuttgart, ”says Wolfgang Grimus. Tour operators and airlines have put together a wide range of offers for the coming summer: “Around 15 destinations, from A, like Antalya to Z, like Zakynthos, will be in the program. In addition, numerous short chains and special flights, such as to Naples, Paphos and Ankara, are offered ”, says the airport.