LONDON – Vienna Airport has handled 10.4 million passengers in 2021.
According to the report produced by the Vienna Airport, the passengers’ numbers for 2021 are better than that of 2020, but still lacking by a 67% deficit as compared to that of 2019.
Furthermore, the report also states that they are aiming to prosper in the year 2022, with the aim to achieve the target of 17 million passengers, despite low passenger traffic due to Omicron transmission and the reimposition of travel restrictions across Europe.
The report further assessed the financial implications of the airport amid the COVID crisis and stated that the airport will have to cope with a revenue loss of € 1.3 billion between the fiscal years of 2021 till 2023.
As the report further states, the economic turnaround is expected by mid-2022, with revenue of € 560 million and EBITDA earning of € 172 million.
The airport is further investing in climate protection to neutralize CO2 offsetting of airport operations while adding more than 1000 jobs at the new airport site.
On the occasion of report publication, Member of the Management Board of Flughafen Wien AG. Mr. Julian Jäger expressed,
“2022 will be bringing an upturn in passenger traffic, but the way out of the crisis is still a long one”.
Mr. Jäger further said “The aviation sector is slowly recovering. We recorded 10.4 million passengers at Vienna Airport in 2021, comprising a passenger volume that is, after all, one-third higher than in the first coronavirus year of 2020.”
“The first months of this year will still be very challenging, but we anticipate a significant upturn in passenger traffic beginning when the summer flight schedule takes effect at the end of March 2022.”
“From today’s perspective, we could reach a level of 17 million passengers in 2022. Hopefully, the situation has bottomed out, and I would particularly like to thank all Vienna Airport employees for their strong commitment during the entire time of the crisis.”
“Thanks to their dedication and the commitment of all our partners at the airport site, Vienna Airport was the most punctual flight hub in the EU and third most punctual European airport.”
“The summer flight schedule looks promising and from today’s perspective, we will re-open the newly designed Terminal 2 before the summer.”
“Our passengers will experience the first-class atmosphere thanks to the large, centralized security checks, a bright and modern interior design, new shops, an expanded restaurant offering, and a very exclusive lounge featuring an area of 2,360 m²”
Günther Ofner, Member of the Management Board of Flughafen Wien AG. In his speech asserted:
“2022 should lead to an economic turnaround despite the pandemic”
He further continued by expressing:
“In the years 2021 to 2023, Vienna Airport will have to cope with a revenue loss totaling € 1.3 billion caused by the coronavirus crisis.”
“However, 2022 should see an economic turnaround. The basis for this improvement is a massive cost savings program, public sector aid, in particular Austria’s coronavirus short-time work scheme which will probably end in March 2022, along with the incredible commitment of the entire staff.”
“We have mastered the crisis up until now without having to dismiss any employees for operational reasons. We anticipate a substantial increase in revenue and earnings for the entire year 2022.”
“Our climate protection investments are proceeding at full speed in spite of the crisis. Austria’s largest photovoltaic plant involving investments of about € 20 million will come on stream at the airport, and the supply of district heat will be CO2 neutral. In this way, we will be able to operate in a CO2 neutral manner in the near future”.
