In 2024, the Austrian aviation industry experienced strong growth, which was primarily characterized by the increase in passenger numbers and air freight volumes. A total of around 35.5 million passengers were counted at the six Austrian airports, which corresponds to an increase of 7 percent compared to the previous year. Air freight also recorded a notable increase of 17.7 percent to a total of 374,607 tons. This not only underlines the great importance of airports for the domestic economy, but also their role as important international hubs for air traffic.
In recent years, the aviation industry in Austria has proven to be one of the few economic sectors that have achieved significant growth. With sales of 8.2 billion euros, the industry contributed around 1.75 percent to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and secured more than 83,000 jobs – both directly and indirectly. These successes are largely due to the Austrian airports, which not only serve as important tourist and economic points of contact, but also play a key role in the global logistics chain.
Mag. Julian Jäger, President of the Association of Austrian Airports (AÖV) and Board Member of Flughafen Wien AG, emphasized in a statement that the Austrian aviation industry is dependent on further growth. He calls for clear political signals and growth-promoting framework conditions, such as the abolition or at least a dedicated use of the flight tax. This would enable airports to maintain their competitiveness and continue to participate in the global recovery.
Strong passenger growth and different regional developments
Austrian airports recorded a total of 35,507,018 passengers in 2024, which represents an increase of 7 percent compared to the previous year. The airports in large cities such as Vienna and Salzburg in particular benefited from the increasing demand for vacation and private travel. Previously these passages in Vienna were worth 31.7 million, but they were worth 7.4 million. Salzburg was also able to achieve above-average results with an increase of 10.7 percent to 1.79 million passengers.
However, the development is different at some regional airports. Innsbruck and Linz have to accept declines. Innsbruck recorded a decline of 4.9 percent to 862,202 passages, while Linz recorded a significant decline with a decrease of 22.4 percent to just 180,694 passages. What is particularly noteworthy is that the hub connections between Innsbruck and Frankfurt and Linz and Frankfurt were temporarily suspended, which influenced the increase in passenger numbers in these regions.
Air freight is booming: Stronger increase in 2024
The air freight volume in Austria rose by 17.7 percent to 374,607 tons in 2024. This positive development highlights the increasing role of airports as important logistics hubs that further boost international trade and the economy. Even though the overall number of flight movements is below the 2019 level, the increase in cargo volumes shows the resilience of the sector. What is particularly noteworthy is that Vienna Airport plays a central role as a hub for international freight traffic and therefore significantly promotes not only passenger traffic, but also freight transport.
Flight movements are increasing, but at night below pre-crisis levels
The number of take-offs and landings at Austrian airports rose by 4.8 percent in 2024 to a total of 271,479 flight movements. Nevertheless, this value remains 15.1 percent below the pre-crisis level of 2019. Vienna recorded the largest increase with an increase of 5.9 percent to 234,138 flight movements, while smaller airports such as Linz and Klagenfurt recorded some declines.
Average aircraft utilization, measured by seat load factor, rose to 79.7 percent across the country – an increase of 0.9 percentage points compared to the previous year. This shows that demand for flights continues to grow and airlines can use their capacities efficiently.
The numbers at a glance:
Airport | Passage 1-12/2024 | Round 1-12/2023 | Diff. 2023 in % |
GRZ | 819,273 | 733,146 | +11.8 |
INN | 862,202 | 906,655 | -4.9 |
KLU | 137,844 | 153,536 | -10.2 |
LNZ | 180,694 | 232,950 | -22.4 |
SZG | 1,787,169 | 1,614,601 | +10.7 |
FR | 31,719,836 | 29,533,186 | +7.4 |
IN TOTAL | 35,507,018 | 33,174,074 | 7.0 |
Passage (arriving, departing and transit, line and charter)
Outlook: The Austrian aviation industry is on track
For the coming years, the Association of Austrian Airports expects that the aviation industry will continue its positive development. The airports play a central role as economic engines for their respective regions and make a significant contribution to increasing Austria’s competitiveness in international comparison. The increasing number of passengers and the growing volume of air freight provide cause for optimism. But in order to secure success and enable further growth, according to the AÖV experts, clear political measures are required that improve the framework conditions for the aviation industry.
The figures for 2024 make it clear that the Austrian aviation industry is still on a solid growth path. Although there are regional differences, overall the airports benefit from strong demand for passenger and freight traffic. This confirms the important role of aviation as an economic factor for Austria, both on a national and international level. The positive development could be further promoted through political support and future-oriented investments.
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