Salzburg Airport handled 669.790 passengers in the previous year - in direct comparison with the value for 2019, a decrease of 61,01 percent. The number of commercial flight movements fell by 59,88 percent to 6.670 take-offs or landings.

Austria's second largest airport also had to record a 10,76 percent decrease to 8.166 kilograms in the freight sector. In scheduled services, 499.402 passengers used the offer from Salzburg, which is 62,58 percent less. Tourist traffic was reduced by 55,57 percent to 170.388 passengers.

“When we received the first news of an epidemic outbreak, we were prepared - similar to the case of bird flu or SARS - to have to comply with stricter requirements, such as laying out disease carpets. At that time, however, no one could have expected the actual effects of this pandemic, which brought air traffic to almost a standstill, ”says managing director Bettina Ganghofer.

After the extensive suspension of flight offers due to the first lockdown, there was initially a cheer in Salzburg: Wizz Air took on some routes. But the joy only lasted for a short time, because the Hungarian low-cost airline's offer has now been suspended. However, a resumption is planned for the summer flight schedule 2021.

Airport feels "unfairly treated" by AUA

In Salzburg, however, they are also disappointed with Austrian Airlines, because the Lufthansa subsidiary withdrew completely. This means that the airport is no longer connected to the Vienna hub. As an alternative, rail connections are available. According to reports, however, these are only used very sparingly. “Salzburg Airport was not only hit directly but also indirectly by the Covid-19 pandemic. The rescue of the AUA was of great importance for Vienna Airport, but unfortunately had no positive effects on Salzburg Airport. On the contrary: In the responsible ministry our request to secure the important short-haul flight Salzburg-Vienna was not granted and the connection was closed. In addition, there is still a great injustice in the fixed cost subsidy in the form that it does not apply to companies that, like Salzburg Airport, are 100% publicly owned. In contrast, Vienna Airport or Klagenfurt Airport, in which the public sector has a 99,9% stake, receive this subsidy. This leads to a distortion of competition that is unacceptable. That is why I will approach the responsible minister again on this matter. I would like to thank all of the employees at Salzburg Airport for their extraordinary commitment during this difficult time and for the fact that important preparatory work for the time after the Corona crisis was also carried out and that the airport is looking up again, ”explains Christian Stoeckl.

The airport management expects that the year 2021 will be even more difficult. The reason for this is that the winter charter season has largely been canceled. That will be strongly reflected in the figures for the current year. Various scenarios are currently being evaluated, but it is assumed that the recovery will take another three to four years.

Flynas and FlyDubai want to fly to Salzburg

In any case, the basis of Eurowings Europe will be preserved. Lufthansa should also reactivate the Frankfurt route as soon as possible. The airport also points out that Turkish Airlines and the other airlines are also currently planning a return to the city of Mozart. It is not yet possible to estimate when this will be the case. But there is also news, as Bettina Ganghofer explains: "For the first time in the history of our airport we can fly non-stop with FlyDubai to Dubai and with Flynas to Jeddah and Riyadh - routes that the airport has never had in its program".

The Salzburg numbers at a glance:

• Passengers: 669 790 (-61,01%)
• Aircraft movements: 6 (-670%)
• Flight movements GAC: 36 419 (-11,65%)
• MTOW (maximum take-off weight): 228 093 (-54,45%)
• PAX scheduled services: 499 402 (-62,58%)
• PAX tourist: 170.388 (-55,57%)
• Freight: 8.166 kg (-10,76%)
• Summer 2021: even more difficult than 2020