At a time when the travel industry is experiencing a steady recovery after the challenges of recent years, the close cooperation between local travel agencies, airlines and airports is invaluable.
This was once again made clear at an industry meeting that took place this week in the airport bistro Udo&Roy in Klagenfurt. Austrian Airlines and Klagenfurt Airport invited numerous representatives of Carinthian travel agencies and the travel departments of local companies to celebrate the good partnership and to exchange ideas about the latest developments in the aviation and travel industry.
The event, which took place in a relaxed atmosphere, not only offered the opportunity to exchange information, but also to engage in personal dialogue between those involved. During a festive evening with food and drink, important topics were discussed and plans for the future were made. The focus was on the role of Carinthian travel professionals, who, through their direct relationship with customers and their expertise, make a significant contribution to the success of flight connections and the regional economy.
The importance of the Carinthian travel industry
Maximilian Wildt, Managing Director of Klagenfurt Airport, emphasized in his speech the central importance of local travel agencies for the airport and its affiliated airlines. "The Carinthian travel agency agents as well as the travel managers of local companies are extremely important partners of the airport and our airlines. Through their daily, direct contact with customers, they promote the offer of our airline partners," said Wildt. This close cooperation enables the airport to effectively market its services and flight connections and increase passenger numbers. He was keen to thank the partners for their good cooperation and to use the opportunity to discuss current topics.
Bernhard Hamela, District Key Account Manager at the Lufthansa Group, also emphasized the importance of local travel agencies for the growth and stability of flight connections in the Carinthian region. The implementation of the new flight times at the end of the day on the Klagenfurt-Vienna route has been particularly positive. "We are seeing very positive booking figures, which reinforce our commitment to the Carinthian market," explained Hamela. Thanks to the new time structure on the route between Klagenfurt and Vienna, the connections are now even better suited to business travelers and vacationers, which is reflected in the increasing demand.
Insight into current flight connections and future expansions
Austrian Airlines currently offers a year-round connection between Klagenfurt and Vienna with up to 13 direct flights per week. This connection is not only an important building block for tourism, but also for the local economy, as Klagenfurt offers access to over 80 destinations in Europe and worldwide via the Vienna hub. This good connection to international cities strengthens both the business location and the attractiveness of Carinthia as a tourist destination.
In the winter months, there is also an expansion of the flight offer: Austrian Airlines flies directly from Hamburg to Klagenfurt on Saturdays. This seasonal connection is intended to further boost tourism and business travel to the region, especially in the cold season, when Carinthia is particularly popular as a winter sports destination.
Also new to the program is the airline SkyAlps, which will offer a direct connection between Klagenfurt and Hanover twice a week from May 2025. This expansion is another indication of the growing importance of Klagenfurt Airport as a hub for international air traffic.
In addition, Ryanair remains an important partner of Klagenfurt Airport. The low-cost airline connects the city with London Stansted all year round and will offer further direct flights to Alicante and Palma de Mallorca in summer 2025. These seasonal connections particularly strengthen holiday tourism and offer Carinthians attractive travel options at affordable prices.
A look ahead to future cooperation
The meeting of travel professionals with Austrian Airlines and Klagenfurt Airport not only underlined the good exchange, but also the direction being set for the future. Maximilian Wildt and Bernhard Hamela both stressed that close cooperation between the travel industry, airlines and airports is essential for the success and further development of air connections. Carinthian travel agencies are also a valuable partner when it comes to further establishing and promoting Klagenfurt Airport as an important transport hub.
The positive developments and the expansion of flight connections show that Klagenfurt Airport plays a crucial role in Austria's air traffic network. Not only travelers, but also the domestic economy benefit from the intensive cooperation between those involved. It remains to be seen what further expansions and partnerships can be realized in the future to further strengthen Klagenfurt Airport as an international hub and further promote air traffic in the region.
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