Future of the Vienna Airport: Decision on third slopes is imminent

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Von: WOM

At the Vienna-Schwechat Airport, there are significant decisions that could affect the future development of the most important aviation turntop in Austria. Julian Jäger, board member of the airport, recently said that a lot of work would come to the team within the next year. In particular, you are waiting for the decision of the Administrative Court (VwGH) regarding a controversial building permit for a third slopes. The VwGH is currently examining the deadline extension that the airport had requested by 9.5 years for the first expansion stage of the project.

Some citizens' initiatives and an environmental organization have appealed against this decision by the Lower Austrian state government. This resulted in the Federal Administrative Court (BVWG) reduced approval for the postponement to 6.5 years. The concerned environmentalists warn of the possible negative consequences that could have an additional slope for the climate, in particular due to an increase in climate -damaging emissions.

project course and challenges

The topic of the third slopes is not new and has been employing the airport since the early 2000s. It all started with a mediation process to include the residents. In 2007 the necessary documents for environmental compatibility were submitted, and the VwGH finally gave the last okay for the project in 2019. However, the corona crisis and the associated challenges in the aviation industry between 2020 and 2021 have greatly delayed this progress. Before these crises occurred, it was planned to start building in 2024 or 2025.

In view of the continuing recovery of the aviation industry, Vienna Airport could even reach the 2019 passenger numbers this year or just miss it. This could also increase the financial pressure on the airport to advance the necessary investments such as the third slopes and extensions of the terminal.

Another big step for the airport is the planned expansion of Terminal 3 for more than 420 million euros. Jäger announced that the groundbreaking for this significant southern extension will take place in February. This measure includes an additional 70,000 square meters of space, of which 10,000 square meters for shopping and gastronomy are intended. The aim is to offer travelers a better experience and to increase the range of "Wiener brands".

After the Terminal 3 has been expanded, further measures to expand the Pier Nord should also follow in order to provide Airlines a larger number of docking positions. Contrary to the satisfaction of the AUA, this could be with the current situation. However, the airport board made it clear that there is currently no fixed schedule and no cost estimate for these measures.

The entire topic around the third slopes and the expansion of the terminal will continue to be observed closely, and the decisions of the supervisory bodies will be of crucial importance. The airport remains optimistic that the legal matters will clarify and that solutions can be found together to further strengthen and expand Vienna as an international aviation hub. For more information on this topic, see the current reporting on noe.orf.at .