Vienna International Airport (VIE), locally known as Flughafen Wien-Schwechat, stands as Austria’s primary international gateway and a crucial hub connecting Western Europe with destinations to the east. Serving the vibrant capital city of Vienna and the surrounding region, this modern airport combines Austrian efficiency with passenger-friendly amenities, making it one of Central Europe’s key aviation hubs.
VIE History
The origins of Vienna Airport date back to 1938, when it was originally built as a military airfield. During World War II, it served as the Heinkel aircraft company’s southern military production facility, known as Heinkel-Süd. Following the war, the British forces took control of the airport in 1945, operating it as RAF Schwechat.
In 1954, a significant transition occurred when the Betriebsgesellschaft (operating company) was established, and the facility replaced Wien-Aspern Airport as Vienna’s and Austria’s principal aerodrome. At this time, it featured just one runway, which was expanded in 1959 to measure 3,000 meters (9,843 feet).
The airport’s development continued steadily through the following decades. The construction of the original airport building began in 1959. A second runway was added in 1972, significantly increasing capacity. The early 1980s saw further expansion, with the airport being connected to Austria’s national motorway network (Ostautobahn) in 1982, improving ground accessibility. In 1986, an enlarged arrivals hall opened, followed by Pier East with eight jet bridges in 1988.
A pivotal moment in the airport’s history came in 1992 when Flughafen Wien AG, the airport operating company, was privatized. Currently, the state of Lower Austria and the City of Vienna each hold 20% of the shares, the private employee participation foundation holds 10%, with the remaining 50% held privately.
The most substantial expansion came in 2012 with the opening of Terminal 3, also called the Austrian Star Alliance Terminal (previously known as Skylink during construction). This modern facility significantly increased the airport’s capacity and enhanced its service quality.
VIE Statistics and Quick Facts
- Official Name: Vienna International Airport (Wien-Schwechat Airport)
- IATA/ICAO Codes: VIE/LOWW
- Location: Schwechat, 18 km (11 miles) southeast of central Vienna and 57 km (35 miles) west of Bratislava, Slovakia
- Elevation: 183 meters (600 feet) above sea level
- Runway Configuration: Two runways
- Runway 11/29: 3,500 meters (11,483 feet) long
- Runway 16/34: 3,600 meters (11,811 feet) long
- Passenger Traffic: The airport set a new record in 2024 with 31.72 million passengers, surpassing its pre-pandemic 2019 level by about 50,000 travelers
- Cargo Volume: Nearly 300,000 tonnes of air cargo and trucking handled annually
- Aircraft Movements: Approximately 240,000 takeoffs and landings per year
- Operating Hours: 24/7 with no night curfew
- Economic Impact: The airport serves as a major economic driver for the region, employing approximately a 20,000 people directly and indirectly
- International Ranking: Vienna Airport currently ranks around 17th among European airports by passenger volume
Terminal Facilities
Vienna Airport features a modern terminal complex comprising several interconnected buildings that offer comprehensive facilities for travelers:
Terminal 1 was built in 1990 and refurbished in 2013. It is primarily used by some Oneworld and SkyTeam alliance airlines, Turkish Airlines, Ryanair, and Wizz Air. The terminal offers standard check-in facilities, as well as retail shops and dining options.
Terminal 1A is a standalone building opposite Terminal 1, originally built as a temporary complex in 2005. It hosts check-in facilities for various carriers, including leisure airlines like Condor and SunExpress, as well as legacy and long-haul carriers like Hainan Airlines and China Airlines.
Terminal 2 dates back to 1960 when it served as the airport’s only terminal. After undergoing major renovations and reopening in 2023, Terminal 2 now features a central security checkpoint and enhanced passenger facilities.
Terminal 3 (Austrian Star Alliance Terminal) is the airport’s newest and most modern facility, opened in 2012. It is used primarily by Austrian Airlines, most Star Alliance members, and several other carriers including Emirates, El Al, Korean Air, and Qatar Airways. The terminal connects to Concourses F and G, providing a spacious, contemporary travel environment.
The airport’s concourses include:
- Concourse B: Located in the basement of Concourse C, handling Schengen destinations with bus boarding
- Concourse C (pier west): Used for Schengen destinations with both jetbridge and bus boarding
- Concourse D (pier east): Serves non-Schengen destinations with shared passport control
Across all terminals, passengers can enjoy a wide range of amenities:
- Extensive shopping facilities, including duty-free stores from brands like Hugo Boss, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Swarovski
- Diverse dining options ranging from Austrian specialties to international cuisine
- Free unlimited Wi-Fi throughout the airport
- Numerous lounges, including the VIENNA Lounge and airline-specific facilities
- Banking and currency exchange services
- Medical facilities and pharmacies
- Children’s play areas
- Prayer and meditation rooms
- Observation deck offering panoramic views of the apron and runways
- VIP terminal service for premium travelers
Airlines and Destinations
Vienna Airport serves as a hub for Austrian Airlines (the country’s flag carrier and part of the Lufthansa Group) and acts as a base for low-cost carriers Ryanair and Wizz Air. The airport features a dense network of European destinations and offers long-haul flights to Asia, North America, and Africa.
Major airlines operating at Vienna Airport include:
- Austrian Airlines: Serving as the home carrier with a market share of approximately 46%
- Ryanair: Offering numerous connections throughout Europe
- Wizz Air: Providing extensive service to Eastern European destinations
- Lufthansa: Connecting to its major hubs in Frankfurt and Munich
- Turkish Airlines: Offering connections via Istanbul
- Emirates: Operating services to Dubai
- Qatar Airways: Flying to Doha
- Thai Airways: Providing direct service to Bangkok
- EVA Air: Operating flights to Taipei
- ANA: Serving Tokyo
- Air Canada: Flying to Toronto and Montreal
- United Airlines: Connecting to Newark and Washington D.C.
- Delta Air Lines: Serving New York JFK
The most popular destinations from Vienna include:
- European cities: London, Frankfurt, Zurich, Düsseldorf, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Istanbul, Hamburg, and Munich
- Vacation destinations: Antalya, Barcelona, and Mallorca lead the summer travel rankings
- Long-haul routes: Bangkok, New York, and Taipei are the top international destinations
Ground Transportation
Vienna Airport offers excellent connectivity to the city center and surrounding regions through multiple transportation options:
Rail connections include:
- City Airport Train (CAT): Provides non-stop service between Wien Mitte-Landstraße station and the airport in 16 minutes, departing every 30 minutes
- S7 S-Bahn: Takes approximately 25 minutes to reach Wien Mitte-Landstraße with several stops along the way, operating at regular intervals throughout the day
- Long-distance trains: Since December 2014, the airport has been connected to Vienna’s main station by ÖBB Railjet and ICE trains, with journey times of approximately 15 minutes
Bus services include:
- Vienna Airport Lines (VAL): Connect the airport to various points in Vienna:
- VAL1: Westbahnhof railway station to VIE via Hauptbahnhof railway station
- VAL2: Morzinplatz/Schwedenplatz (edge of the old town) to VIE direct
- VAL3: Service from Donauzentrum complex, United Nations HQ, and exhibition centers
Road access is facilitated by:
- Direct connection to the A4 motorway (Ostautobahn) leading to Budapest
- Dedicated airport exit (Flughafen) from the motorway
- Extensive parking facilities including both short-term and long-term options
- Car rental services from major providers located in the arrivals area
- Taxi and ride-sharing services with designated pickup zones
Future Development Plans
Vienna Airport is pursuing ambitious development plans to accommodate future growth and enhance the passenger experience:
Terminal Expansion: A major Southern Expansion of Terminal 3 is currently under construction. This €420 million project, which began in February 2024, will:
- Add approximately 70,000 square meters of space by 2027
- Increase shopping and restaurant space by 50%
- Create connections between gates F, G, C, and D for convenient passenger transfers
- Add 18 new bus gates (9 for Schengen and 9 for non-Schengen destinations)
- Implement a centralized security checkpoint with the latest technology
- Feature design elements reflecting Vienna’s charm and local flavor
Third Runway Project: After more than a decade of planning and legal challenges, Vienna Airport received approval in 2018 to build a third runway. The planned runway will be:
- 3,680 meters (12,070 feet) long and 60 meters (200 feet) wide
- Equipped with a category III instrument landing system
- Positioned parallel to and south of the existing runway 11/29
- Designated as 11R/29L (with the existing runway renamed 11L/29R)
The third runway is considered vital for the airport’s future growth, as the current system of two intersecting runways limits capacity. According to the airport, the additional runway will reduce delays, fuel consumption, and noise by eliminating holding patterns during peak times.
While the third runway project has faced opposition from environmental organizations and some local communities, the Austrian Federal Administrative Court ultimately ruled in favor of the project. The timeline for construction has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the airport continues to maintain that the runway will be necessary to accommodate long-term growth.
Through these expansions and improvements, Vienna Airport aims to strengthen its position as one of Europe’s leading airports, ensuring sufficient capacity for future growth while enhancing the overall passenger experience. The investments reflect Vienna’s strategic importance as a hub connecting Western Europe with destinations in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
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