Salzburg Airport Sees Significant Passenger Increase, Nears Pre-Pandemic Levels
Published: [Current Date]
**Salzburg, Austria** – Exciting news from Salzburg Airport! As the world gradually recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, the airport has announced a remarkable surge in passenger numbers, almost reaching the levels of the pre-Corona era. This development, confirmed by managing director Bettina Ganghofer, is a strong indicator of the industry’s decoupling from the pandemic’s restrictions.
Record-Breaking Passenger Numbers
In a significant milestone, Salzburg Airport recorded 1.8 million passengers in 2024, marking a substantial increase of 10.7 percent. This achievement brings the airport alarmingly close to its pre-pandemic passenger levels, particularly that of the 2018 assessment year, which saw approximately 57,000 more passengers. According to Ganghofer, the robust recovery can be attributed to an increase in flight traffic coupled with significantly reduced maintenance costs, largely due to upcoming investments in a new terminal building.
Business Travel Still Catching Up
Although the surge is a positive indicator, business travel traffic has not yet returned to its pre-pandemic glory. As Ganghofer stated, the airport’s efforts to re-establish year-round connections are paying off, but this segment still lags behind. The hope is that continued growth and improved connectivity will bolster business travel numbers in the coming years.
Major Investments and Terminal Shifts
In a forward-looking endeavor, Salzburg Airport plans to invest a total of €315 million over the next 15 years. A significant portion of this investment will go towards the construction of a new terminal. However, due to legal considerations, the start of this major project has been postponed to 2027. The delay stemmed primarily from the pending federal landfill regulation, which must be finalized before construction can begin.
Impact of Weather and Airlines on Fiscal Year
Despite a promising outlook, the current fiscal year of 2025 has started on a slightly weaker note. Factors such as late Easter and low snowfall have affected the initial passenger count. Moreover, the unexpected discontinuation of three Salzburg connections by the low-cost airline Wizz Air during the first quarter has further impacted the numbers. Nonetheless, Ganghofer remains optimistic, expecting both the interseason and the summer main season to show a marked improvement.
Lessons Learned from the Past
Historically, Salzburg Airport has navigated challenges with resilience. Back in 2018, incidents involving the seepage of firefighting agents into groundwater were uncovered. These issues underscored the importance of rigorous environmental regulations. Now, Salzburg is poised for future growth, biding its time until the necessary legal framework is set.
With these breaks ahead, it comes as no surprise that Salzburg Airport is once again becoming a dominant player in the aviation sector. The future looks bright, especially as their strategic investments position them for long-term growth.
