AUSTRIA. Flughafen Wien Airport Group has reported revenue for its Retail & Properties Segment of €78.1 million (US$86.2 million) for the first six months of 2019 – a +14.6% increase compared to the first half of 2018.
The driving factor for the growth was the Centre Management & Hospitality sub-division (+18% to €39 million), which includes retail and F&B facilities – these were up +16.5% and +22.6% respectively. Parking revenue (+15.5% to €25.6 million) also spurred the performance. 
Driven by the improved revenue, EBITDA for Retail & Properties rose +20.9% to €51.9 million (+20.9%) while EBIT was up +25% to €43 million. 
The strong retail performance was reflected in the overall group results. Revenue for Flughafen Wien Airport Group – the operator of Vienna Airport, Malta Airport and Kosice Airport – for the half was €401.4 million (+7.5%). This, in turn, delivered EBITDA for the airport operator of €183.1 million (+9.3%), EBIT of €117.2 million (+12.1%) and net profit for the period of €82.9 million (+14.6%). 
Improved passenger traffic contributed to the Group’s strong performance. Traffic across the Group’s airports for the half rose +19.9% year-on-year, while traffic at Vienna Airport was up +23.9%.
This impressive performance continued through July, the airport operator added. Flughafen Wien Airport Group Management Board Member Julian Jäger commented: “The growth trend at Vienna Airport is continuing. We registered a +22.4% rise in the number of passengers handled in the period January to July 2019, and we are heading towards a new all-time high in the summer.
“Accordingly, we are the top performer in Europe and the fastest-growing airport in our category. The number of flight movements also increased sharply by +14.9% since January. 2019 will turn out to be a record year in the airport’s history in terms of passenger volume and will likely reach the level of about 31 million travellers. This strengthens the entire business and tourism location.” 
Indeed, the airport operator has revised its forecast for 2019 as a whole. It is anticipating passenger growth for the year to be above +10% for the Group, while Vienna Airport traffic will grow by substantially more than +10% and break the 31 million barrier. Revenue for the year, meanwhile, will clear €830 million, EBITDA will pass €375 million and net profit will hit €170 million, Flughafen Wien Airport Group added.
