AUSTRIA. Vienna Airport is forecast to serve around 17 million passengers in 2022, around half of 2019 levels. The Flughafen Wien Group (which also includes Malta and Kosice airports) is expected to welcome 21 million passengers in the year ahead, also down by around -50% on 2019.
The group today reported its 2021 figures, which show that 10.4 million passengers passed through Vienna Airport last year, down by -67.1% on 2019. The three group airports combined served 13.1 million travellers, down by -66.8% on 2019.
In a statement the group said: “2022 is expected to see an upswing in flight traffic but will remain a challenging time. From today’s perspective, the first three to six months of the year will remain weak, but a substantial increase in passenger volumes is expected starting in the Summer and in the second half of 2022.”
Commenting on 2021 commercial activity, the group noted that Terminal 3 had welcomed new shops and restaurants, including AÏDA, Manner, Wiener Bierbar 1837 and dean&david.
New openings in 2022 will be a debut for Wolfgang Puck at the airport, alongside coffee brand Bieder & Maier, plus Austrian F&B concepts Veganista/LaLa and Trześniewski.
The newly upgraded Terminal 2 (closed during the pandemic) will go into operation before the Summer season, with an updated retail and dining offer and centralised security check. A highlight will be a 2,360sq m airport lounge with a view of the airport apron, said Vienna Airport.
Revenue for 2021 (yet to be announced) is expected to amount to reach €380 million with EBITDA of €150 million and net profit of €4 million. Forecasting for 2022, Vienna Airport said revenue is expected to reach around €560 million, with a positive EBITDA of at least €172 million and consolidated net profit of €20 million.
Member of the Management Board Julian Jäger said: “2022 will bring an upturn in passenger traffic – but the way out of the crisis is still a long one.
“The aviation sector is slowly recovering. We recorded 10.4 million passengers at Vienna Airport in 2021, comprising a passenger volume which is, after all, one-third higher than in the first coronavirus year of 2020. The first months of this year will still be very challenging, but we anticipate a significant upturn in passenger traffic beginning when the Summer flight schedule takes effect at the end of March 2022. From today’s perspective, we could reach a level of 17 million passengers in 2022.
“The Summer flight schedule looks promising and from today’s perspective we will re-open the newly designed Terminal 2 before the Summer. Our passengers will experience a first-class atmosphere thanks to the large, centralised security checks, a bright and modern interior design, new shops, an expanded restaurant offering and a very exclusive lounge.”
Member of the Management Board Günther Ofner added: “2022 should lead to an economic turnaround despite the pandemic. In the years 2021 to 2023, Vienna Airport will have to cope with a revenue loss totalling €1.3 billion caused by the coronavirus crisis. However, 2022 should see an economic turnaround.
“The basis for this improvement is a massive cost savings programme, public sector aid, in particular Austria’s coronavirus short-time work scheme which will probably end in March 2022, along with the incredible commitment of the entire staff. We have mastered the crisis up until now without having to dismiss any employees for operational reasons.
“We anticipate a substantial increase in revenue and earnings for the entire year 2022. Our climate protection investments are proceeding at full speed in spite of the crisis.”
