Vienna Airport Plans for 70,000 Sq.m Terminal 3 Expansion Set to Open by 2027, Adding New Retail, Dining, and Lounge Spaces

Friday, November 1, 2024

Vienna Airport, Austria’s largest and busiest airport, serves as a key gateway to Europe and a hub for international travelers. Located just outside Vienna, it handles millions of passengers annually, offering flights to destinations worldwide. Known for its efficiency and customer service, Vienna Airport consistently ranks among Europe’s most punctual hubs. With a commitment to sustainability, it achieved CO2-neutral operations in 2023 and operates Austria’s second-largest photovoltaic plant to meet its energy needs. The airport is currently expanding Terminal 3 by 70,000 square meters, adding new retail, dining, and lounge spaces, aiming for a five-star status by 2030.

In an exclusive interview with Travel And Tour World at Routes World 2024, Mr. Julian Jager, Joint CEO and COO, Flughafen Wien AG, Vienna Airport, outlined the airport’s latest initiatives to enhance passenger experience, achieve sustainability milestones, and expand international connectivity. Speaking with Associate Editor Vidwat Keshan, Mr. Julian Jager, Joint CEO and COO, Flughafen Wien AG, Vienna Airport shared Vienna Airport’s strategic vision as it strives to become a five-star airport by 2030, with a focus on operational excellence, sustainability, and strengthening its position as a central hub for European and global travel.

Enhancing Passenger Experience and Terminal Expansion Plans

Vienna Airport has made substantial strides in improving passenger experience, especially after the challenges brought on by the pandemic. Mr. Julian Jager, Joint CEO and COO, Flughafen Wien AG, Vienna Airport highlighted the airport’s recent focus on process optimization, which has contributed to Vienna Airport ranking as one of the most punctual hubs in Europe. The airport prides itself on efficient security and ground handling operations, ensuring that travelers enjoy a seamless experience from check-in to boarding.

One key area of improvement has been the introduction of self-service options, with self-drop kiosks seeing significant uptake. Vienna Airport is also exploring biometrics to further streamline passenger processing, reflecting the airport’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance efficiency and convenience.

Looking ahead, Vienna Airport is planning an extensive terminal expansion. By 2027, the airport will open a 70,000-square-meter extension of Terminal 3, featuring new retail, dining, and lounge spaces. This expansion will also include a larger security area and additional fast-track gates, all designed to elevate the airport’s status and prepare it for future growth. “With this extension, we aim to provide a world-class experience for travelers and position ourselves as a five-star airport by 2030,”Mr. Julian Jager, Joint CEO and COO, Flughafen Wien AG, Vienna Airport said.

Sustainability Goals and CO2 Neutral Operations

Sustainability is a core priority for Vienna Airport, and the airport has already achieved CO2 neutrality in its operations as of 2023. Mr. Julian Jager, Joint CEO and COO, Flughafen Wien AG, Vienna Airport emphasized that the airport reduced its CO2 emissions from 70,000 tons annually to 6,000 tons. The remaining emissions are offset, with plans to further decrease this number by transitioning to fully electric special vehicle fleets in the coming years.

Vienna Airport also operates Austria’s second-largest photovoltaic power plant, generating 26 megawatts of electricity and covering approximately 50% of the airport’s total energy needs. This investment reflects Vienna Airport’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint and aligns with its goal to achieve Net Zero by 2033. Jäger noted, “Sustainability is at the heart of our operations, and we will continue to invest in electrification and green energy to meet our ambitious environmental goals.”

Expanding International Connectivity and Flight Routes

At Routes World 2024, Vienna Airport focused on expanding its international reach, particularly by strengthening connections to Asia and the United States. As global travel demand rebounds, Vienna Airport has seen a return of Asian carriers, such as All Nippon Airways (ANA) with flights to Tokyo and Hainan Airlines reconnecting to Shenzhen. Mr. Julian Jager, Joint CEO and COO, Flughafen Wien AG, Vienna Airport expressed optimism about further expanding routes to East Asia and the U.S., which would enhance the airport’s role as a global transit hub and provide Austrian travelers with more options.

Vienna Airport has already recovered to pre-pandemic levels in terms of passenger numbers, with 2023 surpassing 2019’s record year of 32 million passengers. The airport expects to serve around 31.5 million passengers by the end of 2024. “We are encouraged by the steady growth in passenger traffic, and our priority now is to improve connectivity and attract more long-haul flights, especially from Asia and the U.S.,” Jäger added.

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