Vienna Airport says no to the third runway – future uncertain!

Vienna Airport says no to the third runway – future uncertain!

The decision has been made: Vienna Airport has rejected plans for a third runway after more than 20 years of planning. This reports AeroInternational, and the reasons are varied and complex. The main factors were a thorough analysis of the costs, operational developments and the changed general conditions that led to this decision.

The third runway was originally considered the key to further growth of the airport. But the reality has changed significantly over the years since the initial plans. For example, the investment costs for the project have almost doubled to an estimated two billion euros. In addition, the efficiency of flight operations has improved significantly: While in 2005 an average of 71 passengers were transported per flight movement, today there are already 139. This means that the capacity per flight is increasing and the pressure on the existing runway system is decreasing.

Optimization instead of a new slope

Flughafen Wien AG has decided to focus on internal optimization instead of a third runway. The aim is to expand the current infrastructure to handle up to 52 million passengers per year, which would be a significant increase compared to 31.7 million in 2023. Even if the major airline partners are skeptical about the project, the possibility of future needs remains, depending on traffic developments and approvals.

The decision also has financial consequences: the airport has to expect value adjustments of around 56 million euros and expects a smaller surplus of 210 million euros instead of 230 million euros for the current financial year. What is positive, however, is that traffic development is going better than expected. Many have also pointed out the interdependence of air transport and the economy, as highlighted in a recent report by ADV described.

Social and economic impacts

The question remains how the rejection of the third runway will affect the long-term competitiveness of the airport and the Austrian economy. In its statement, the airport association ADV emphasizes that air traffic is essential for growth and prosperity. One possible estimate is that one million additional passengers could create about 1,000 new jobs at the airport.

The argument for a third runway also found support in politics as well as among business and tourism players. Personalities from these areas clearly spoke out in favor of the project in order to strengthen Austria as a business location. Especially in the context of the increasing tourism numbers that are forecast for Vienna, the expansion of the airport infrastructure could be to the benefit of the local economy.

In summary, the airport's decision to temporarily stop planning for the third runway brings with it both opportunities and challenges. It remains to be seen whether the focus on internal optimization will prove to be the right recipe in the long term. What is clear, however, is that the discussion about air freight and its economic importance in Austria is becoming increasingly explosive, as the site says dreipiste.at shows impressively.