Salzburg-Vienna flight connection: economic boost or climate escape?

Salzburg-Vienna flight connection: economic boost or climate escape?

The voice of the Salzburg economy is getting louder! Following an effort by the coalition parties FPÖ and ÖVP, the flight connection between Salzburg and Vienna, which has been closed since 2020, is to be brought back to life. The return of this connection is not only essential for the route to Viennese companies, but could also significantly strengthen domestic tourism, as both the SPÖ and the Salzburg Industrial Association emphasize. According to SPÖ transport spokeswoman Sabine Klauser, the cancellation of the connection has weakened Salzburg as a business location: “The preservation of indirect jobs at the airport could be better guaranteed this way,” she explained, since hundreds of jobs in Salzburg are closely linked to the airport, as she explained in more detail in a report by salzburg.orf.at.

The demands are no coincidence. According to the Salzburg Industrial Association, the flight connection is viewed as making sense from a climate policy and economic perspective. WKS President Peter Buchmüller and IV President Peter Unterkofler are calling for the route to be revived in order to secure access to international transport connections - an important aspect for export-oriented companies. “Salzburg Airport is an indispensable factor for Salzburg as a business location,” emphasizes Unterkofler and warns of the danger that added value will migrate to neighboring countries. Alternative travel options led many business travelers to travel to Munich in order to fly from there on direct flights, which unfortunately made the CO2 balance of the journey negative, as in a report by sn.at is to be read.

Political views and resistance

However, the prevailing enthusiasm is strongly criticized by the Greens. The party is vehemently against the reintroduction of the flight connection and speaks of an “absurd” project. Citizens' List Club chairwoman Ingeborg Haller emphasizes that more sensible alternatives, such as improving the train service to Vienna Airport, are urgently needed. “The current timing is leading to massive problems for many people,” Klausner clarifies and is calling not only for flight connections to be restored, but also for the local aviation weather service to return in order to ensure safety at Salzburg Airport.