Press Talk with Salzburg Airport-CEO and Chairman of the Board
2018 was a difficult year still resulting in 1.844.362 passengers / Flights lost by the insolvencies of Air Berlin and Flyniki almost fully compensated / refurbishment of the runway in 2019 / total investment volume 31.25 million Euros / positive outlook for the current business year
The winter season has started with cold weather and lots of snow. Both the airport and the winter sport regions are very content with the number of tourists and overnight stays so far.
“The start of the winter season has been quite successful and I am very proud of my team. A harsh winter always challenges the staff as well as all the necessary equipment and it often causes chaos on the roads. If passengers arrive late at the airport, this also puts the staff under intense pressure”, says Bettina Ganghofer, CEO of Salzburg Airport.
While other airports in Bavaria had to close their runways, we were able to clear the airport from snow and ice. However, we have not seen the major peak days yet, which are expected on February 16th and February 23rd (halfterm holidays Great Britain) implying 122 landings.
“January 5th once again demonstrated that Salzburg Airport is absolutely capable of handling flights professionally, even when runways in neighboring Bavaria have to be closed”, announces Bettina Ganghofer happily.
Our current flight plan informs on all flight connections from and to Salzburg currently offered. You will find a wide range of flights, whether it be seasonal incoming winter connections from all over Europe, sunny destinations in Spain or Egypt or long haul flights via Vienna, Frankfurt, Berlin, Düsseldorf , London or Istanbul to almost any destination worldwide.
Salzburg Airport as an important locational factor
Nearly 1500 people work at Austria´s largest regional airport in total. Highly qualified employees ensure a quick and smooth operation, to make our passengers´ journey pleasant right from the start. In addition, the airport offers a high-quality transport infrastructure for the economy and tourism in the region.
“A lot of companies in Salzburg operate internationally and rely on an airport in order to reach their foreign branches. Passengers benefit from numerous connecting flights via international hubs like Frankfurt, Vienna, Berlin, London, Palma, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Cologne or Istanbul and properties near the airport enjoy great popularity. A number of well-known companies have settled here, among them firms like Kaindl, Metro, DOC Outlet, Mercedes Pappas, Hofer/Aldi or Hangar7, not least because of a great connection to the airport”, says LH-Stv. Christian Stöckl, Chairman of the Board.
The airport as an investor in the region: 31.25 million Euros including the runway
In order to meet the high requirements of our guests, numerous business customers included, ongoing investments are made. In the past business year 3.7 million Euros were spent on various projects. In 2019 we are facing a major investment, the general refurbishment of our 60 year old runway.
“26.2 million Euros will be needed to refurbish the runway, which will take place from April 24th until May 28th 2019. The rest, 5.05 million, will be spent on vehicles and equipment, IT hard- and software, innovations from our strategy process, reconstruction measures in the administration building and various smaller projects”, says LH-Stv. Christian Stöckl.
New runway for the airport
Almost 60 years ago, today´s runway 15/33 was covered with concrete. Yearly renovations have become very expensive. Therefore the management together with our owners decided to completely refurbish the old runway. From April 24th until May 28th 2019 the airport will be closed for air traffic.
“We carefully chose a method of restoration, which protects the neighboring population from noisy construction measures the best way possible”, says Bettina Ganghofer at today´s press conference.
For further information please find the most important answers in our FAQ-section. Please use our e-mail-address p2ShnJIlqJ5aDUAuoUcvqKWaYJScpaOipaDhLKD= if you have any further questions.
“I would like to make clear that the refurbishment of the runway will neither lead to any change in alignment of the current runway nor will there be any changes concerning departure routes. Furthermore, the length of the runway as well as the taxiways will remain unchanged”, confirms LH-Stv. Christian Stöckl.
2018: Year of extremes – a review
The impacts of the insolvencies of Air Berlin and Flyniki causing a decline in flights by almost 25% of the total air traffic at Salzburg Airport, could be compensated up to a few percent. Partners like Eurowings, British Airways and Turkish Airines and many others made up for the loss.
“I would like to congratulate the staff at Salzburg Airport for their excellent job this past year. The team under the leadership of Bettina Ganghofer had some difficult obstacles to overcome and yet managed to almost make up for the decline caused by the insolvencies of Air Berlin and Flyniki”, says LH-Stv. Christian Stöckl.
Passenger figures in 2018 decreased by no more than 2.4%, which is primarily due to two routes: Berlin and Hamburg. While Eurowings was struggling to reach the figures that Air Berlin had reached with Berlin, EasyJet decided to take Hamburg off its flight-program. Meanwhile services from Salzburg to Hamburg have been resumed. We are also working on establishing regular morning and evening flights to Berlin.
| Total Passengers | 1,844,362 | -2,4% |
| MTOW Maximum Take Off Weight | 540,232 | -5,5% |
| Scheduled Flights | 1,461,883 | -3,6% |
| Charter Incoming Flights | 230,430 Pax | |
| Charter Outgoing Flights | 150,070 Pax | |
| Cargo | 11,247,645 kg |
A preview on the summer flight schedule
This summer we are offering a great new flight connection to Tel Aviv (Israel) operated by EL AL (MO, THU). Flights will also be operated to the university town Split in Croatia (TUE, SUN) and Palma di Mallorca. One of the most popular holiday destinations is Greece. Flights are offered to Preveza/Island of Lefkas (TUE), Rhodes (TUE), Kos (WED), Corfu (SUN) and Crete (MO, FRI). Egypt is a true diver´s paradise. Services are operated to Hurghada (THU, SUN) twice a week.
In addition, passengers can fly from Salzburg to Burgas (Bulgaria, MO and SAT), Calvi (Corse, SUN), Antalya (MON) and Istanbul (10x per week).
Via Frankfurt, Vienna, London Gatwick, Düsseldorf or Istanbul, passengers can easily reach destinations worldwide with short transfer times. Eurowings and easyJet offer flights to Hamburg and Berlin several times a week.
