In Salzburg, politicians are currently discussing a possible partial privatization of the airport, bringing the beverage manufacturer Red Bull into discussion. He is ready to lease the area on which hangars 7 and 8 are built.
The corona pandemic hit Salzburg Airport hard, because the airport generates the majority of its annual turnover in the winter season. This year this has almost completely failed. The logical consequence of this is that the financial situation is tight. According to the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation, state politicians are now thinking about selling valuable properties. A possible partial privatization of the airport is not ruled out either.
The properties currently used by Red Bull are on land owned by the airport. Salzburg's Deputy Governor Christian Stöckl (ÖVP) can imagine the sale to the beverage company and also has a clear idea of what the possible income should be used for: "The sale of this building permit could generate money for the necessary construction of Terminal 1". Bernhard Auigner (SPÖ), Vice Mayor of the City of Salzburg, at least did not express himself aversion to the ORF: “You can certainly think about that. It could bring in fresh money if the offer fits ”.
Land for partial privatization, city resisting
The second largest airport in Austria was profitable for many years, but the corona pandemic changed that almost overnight. The airport is owned by the State of Salzburg (75 percent) and the City of Salzburg (25 percent). According to Deputy Governor Stöckl, this constellation could change because partial privatization is currently being seriously discussed. Red Bull is seen as a possible partner. The state politician said: “It is now necessary to find a strategic partner. But if it is necessary, it can also be someone with more than 25 percent ”.
The city of Salzburg sees things a little differently, as Vice Mayor Auigner explained to ORF: “The airport will definitely make money again in two to three years. I understand, of course, that there are private investors here who now see the time to get started as a very good one. And the fact that the airport will soon be throwing in a lot of money again is not a very daring prognosis ”.
Red Bull GmbH wants to stay out of the public discussions and told ORF Salzburg that they do not want to comment on the topic. One gets the impression that politicians have not yet had any binding discussions with the preferred partner, but are first publicly bringing the options into play. If this were to be the case, it would be hardly surprising.
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