The Austrian aviation industry continued to grow in 2024. A total of 35,5 million passengers were handled at the country's six major airports, an increase of 7 percent compared to the previous year. According to the latest figures from Statistics Austria, this corresponds to the second highest passenger volume in the history of Austrian airports. However, the increase is not evenly distributed across all airports: While Vienna, Salzburg and Graz airports in particular recorded significant increases, Klagenfurt Airport had to accept a decline in the number of passengers.
The Austrian aviation industry will continue to be robust in 2024. The 35,5 million passengers handled at the country's airports last year represent a new milestone. The 7 percent increase represents a significant increase compared to 2023 and is just below the all-time high of 2019, when 36,5 million passengers were handled. Tobias Thomas, Director General of Statistics Austria, speaks of a "high-flying" industry, which is also reflected in the air freight figures. This recorded a new record of 18 tons, up 257.850 percent, underscoring the high demand and economic growth in international air traffic.
Vienna Airport in particular is benefiting from this increase. With 31,7 million passengers in 2024, the airport achieved the highest number of passengers since records began. This corresponds to an increase of 7,4 percent compared to 2023. Salzburg Airport also recorded an increase of 10,7 percent, reaching 1,8 million passengers transported. Graz Airport experienced an increase of 11,7 percent, resulting in a total of 800.000 passengers transported. It is particularly noteworthy that all major airports in the country - with the exception of Klagenfurt, Innsbruck and Linz - expected an increase in passenger volume.
Klagenfurt: Negative trend continues
However, the situation is different at Klagenfurt Airport, which is showing a clearly negative development with a decline of 10,2 percent to just 137.844 passengers carried in 2024. Compared to 2019, the year before the pandemic, the airport's passenger volume is only 41 percent of the previous figure. This represents a further setback for the airport, which has already been struggling with stagnating or declining passenger numbers in recent years.
The reasons for the decline in Klagenfurt are varied and have to do with various factors. One of the main reasons for the weaker results at Klagenfurt Airport is probably the limited choice of flight connections. While the larger airports such as Vienna or Salzburg have a much wider network of international and domestic flights, the connections from Klagenfurt are mainly regional in nature and therefore very limited. Another obstacle to the airport's development is the limited catchment area, which is restricted by the airport's geographical location. Compared to other cities in southern Austria, Klagenfurt has a smaller population and less international appeal, which affects passenger numbers.
Klagenfurt Airport has been struggling with structural and financial challenges for years. In the past, there have been repeated discussions about the need to invest in infrastructure and about possible cooperation with other airports. However, no sustainable solution has yet been found to increase passenger numbers in Klagenfurt in the long term. The fact that there are only limited international flight connections at Klagenfurt Airport may also have contributed to the fact that fewer and fewer travelers are using this airport.
A look at the overall situation of airports in Austria
The figures for 2024 clearly show that Austrian airports as a whole are well on their way to recovering from the effects of the pandemic. Vienna, as the clear leader, benefits from its central location and its international flight network, while Salzburg and Graz airports can also benefit greatly from the increasing number of passengers. These increases are reflected not only in the number of passengers transported, but also in a positive development in air freight, which testifies to growing economic activity and increasing international trade.
However, it remains to be seen whether this positive trend will continue, as air traffic is likely to face various challenges in the coming years. These include rising operating costs, possible economic uncertainties and the need to adapt to intense competition in international air traffic. Smaller airports such as Klagenfurt in particular will have to develop new strategies to remain competitive in the market in the long term.
Conclusion and outlook
In summary, 2024 was a successful year for Austrian aviation. The record passenger volume of 35,5 million passengers and the increased air freight figures are clear evidence of the continued growth and recovery of the industry.
While Vienna, Salzburg and Graz airports benefited from this trend, Klagenfurt Airport is struggling with a further decline in passenger numbers and stagnating development. It remains to be seen how Klagenfurt Airport will develop in the coming years and whether it can find a long-term solution to the existing challenges.
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