VIA Vienna International Airport

Ryanair to Close its Base in Vienna

The low-cost airline Ryanair will be closing down its base in Vienna. According to a leaked internal report, the parent company of Austrian Laudamotion, will move the base of its three Boeing planes to a not yet disclosed European airport and close down the base on Vienna's airport.

December 4, 2020

Comprehensive COVID-19 Tests for High-Risk-Country-Travelers Should Bring Back Freedom to Travel

AUA Austrian Airlines calls for comprehensive COVID-19 testing to replace general landing and entry bans.

August 19, 2020

Austria Lifts Landing Bans for Airplanes from All 18 Countries that were Previously Banned

The previous landing bans for aircraft from 18 countries expired on 1 August 2020. From now on, new entry regulations will apply, requiring a mandatory Covid 19 test. There are exceptions for diplomats and some other groups.

August 1, 2020

Coronavirus in Austria: Update

The coronavirus pandemic has also hit Austria, and deaths and infections caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are still on the rise. New officially confirmed cases of disease are constantly being added. Despite this outbreak in Austria, the situation looks much worse elsewhere. In contrast, however, there are more than 610,797 deaths worldwide due to the Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The Austrian health authorities are networked with the relevant bodies within the framework of WHO and EU membership and are in permanent coordination. The international authorities monitor current developments and address the member countries with the following recommendations.

July 20, 2020

Landing Ban at Austrian Airports Extended from 10 to 18 Countries

In the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, Austria will reinforce the landing bans for aircraft from COVID-19 risk areas as of Thursday, 16 July. Thus, landing bans will apply to aircraft from the following countries: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China, Egypt, Iran, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Sweden, United Kingdom and Ukraine.

July 14, 2020

Another COVID Casualty: Austrian Airline Discontinues Flight Operations

The Austrian low-cost airline "Level" and subsidiary of British Airways (IAG International Airlines Group) has discontinued flight operations with immediate effect. The airline was hit hard economically by the consequences of the Covid 19 pandemic in Europe. A continuation of flight operations is not planned. About 200 employees in Vienna are affected by the bankruptcy.

June 19, 2020

Austrian Airlines Deal: EUR 450 Million for Vienna Hub Guarantee

The Lufthansa subsidiary will receive EUR 450 million from the Republic of Austria, EUR 300 million of which as a loan guarantee and EUR 150 million as equity.

June 9, 2020

Coronavirus in Austria: Live-Ticker

On this website you can find information and guidance in English from Vindobona.org regarding the current outbreak of the coronavirus pandemie (COVID-19) in Austria. Vindobona.org is being informed by local Austrian and global health authorities to rapidly disseminate information and knowledge on this new virus, and to provide advice to travellers and expats on measures to protect health and prevent the spread of this outbreak. Please visit this page for daily updates.

April 17, 2020 · Updated: June 9, 2020; 17:35

Deal: Bail-out for Austrian Airlines

According to media reports, AUA Austrian Airlines is to receive a total of EUR 600 million and thus retain its Austrian headquarters.

June 8, 2020

Austrian Airlines to Resume Flight Operations on 15 June

After an interruption of almost three months, Austrian Airlines will resume flight operations to selected destinations in Europe and Tel Aviv from mid-June onwards. Since no neighbouring seats will be kept empty in case of demand, bold passengers will again be able to fly to up to 40 destinations by the end of June. For specific destinations, see below.

May 28, 2020

Ryanair's Laudamotion to Close Vienna Base

Laudamotion closes its base in Vienna on 29 May, 300 people lose their jobs. The trade union Vida did not agree to an ultimatum by the airline, which would have brought a new collective agreement with significantly lower wages.

May 22, 2020

Drastic Drop of over 99% in Passengers at Vienna International Airport

The worldwide travel restrictions and flight cancellations resulting from Covid-19 have had a major impact on the development of traffic and earnings AT Vienna International Airport (Flughafen Wien Group). In April, the Group recorded a decline of 99.6% in the number of passengers and 99.5% at Vienna International Airport. Revenues for Q1/2020 fell by -9.0% to € 161.4 million.

May 20, 2020

Coronavirus: Vienna Airport Offers Tests to Avoid 14-Day Quarantine in Austria

Coronavirus PCR tests on site at Vienna Airport for € 190 (incl. VAT) - no quarantine necessary if results are negative.

May 11, 2020

Coronavirus in Austria: Live-Ticker (Our live coverage has now concluded)

This live ticker has been terminated. Our live coverage has now concluded.

May 1, 2020

Vienna International Airport: 98 Percent Fewer Passengers

Vienna International Airport (Flughafen Wien AG) is currently registering a decline of 98% in the number of passengers and the workforce is on short-time working. The airport is therefore cancelling the dividend for 2019 and launching a savings programme of over € 220m.

April 17, 2020

Austrian Airlines Extends Short-Time Work and Temporary Cessation of Flight Operations

Due to the global developments in connection with the Coronavirus and the continuing restrictions on travel, Austrian Airlines is extending the short-time working model for its 7,000 employees by a further month until May 19, 2020. Also, Austrian Airlines prolongs the cessation of its regular scheduled flight operations for an additional two weeks until May 17, 2020.

April 17, 2020

Coronavirus Prohibitions in Austria - Where Can I Still Fly To?

Expats and internationals in Austria have to make the sometimes difficult decision these days whether to stay, or to return to their countries of origin, or maybe even to escape somewhere else entirely. Our report and the collection of links answer the questions, where can I still travel from Vienna by plane, which countries are already blocked and how can I best handle cancellations, rebookings and refunds.

March 17, 2020

Austrian Airlines Terminates Flight Operations

Austrian Airlines is temporarily suspending its regular flight operations from Wednesday night. The last flight will arrive in Vienna on Thursday morning from Chicago. All further flights until at least March 28, 2020, or "until further notice" are cancelled. The airline is aware of its responsibility, will cooperate with the Austrian government and try to bring home as many Austrians as possible. One long-haul and one medium-haul aircraft will remain in use for emergency and relief flights.

March 16, 2020

Austria Reports Second Death from COVID-19

In Vienna, the second person died from the consequences of the coronavirus.

March 15, 2020 · Updated: March 15, 2020; 12:06

Coronavirus: Profit Warning Issued by Vienna International Airport - Reduced Working Time Planned

Travel restrictions and the resulting massive reduction in the number of scheduled flights at Vienna International Airport severely depress revenues and annual results for 2020.

March 12, 2020

Vienna International Airport: What Arriving Passengers Should Know

Numerous measures and precautions are currently in place or under implementation at Vienna International Airport (Flughafen Wien-Schwechat) in connection with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. For updated details and Viennese specifics see below.

March 12, 2020

Vienna International Airport: What Departing Passengers Should Know

If you want to leave Vienna by plane, you must of course arrive in time at Vienna International Airport, called Flughafen Wien-Schwechat by locals. This is followed by check-in and possibly baggage check-in, boarding pass control, security control and possibly passport control. For details and Vienna differences see below.

March 11, 2020

Slump in Passenger Numbers at Vienna International Airport

While Vienna International Airport (Flughafen Wien Schwechat) recorded an increase of 8.3% in the number of passengers to 2 million in February, the coronavirus crisis led to a decline of roughly 30% in the number of passengers in March 2020, and this trend is expected to continue.

March 11, 2020

Austrian Government Announces Drastic Measures on Coronavirus

In the fight against the coronavirus, the government has announced drastic measures for the first time. Entry ban from Italy, partial suspension of air and train traffic, cancellation of events, suspension of teaching at universities and technical colleges.

March 10, 2020

Rebookings: Austrian Airlines Responds to Customers' Needs

Since the number of cancellations and rebookings has risen sharply as a result of the coronavirus crisis, AUA Austrian Airlines is forced to be flexible in accommodating existing customers when rebooking. In the case of higher ticket prices, however, the differences must be borne by the customer himself.

March 9, 2020

Coronavirus: Air Travel via Vienna International Airport - Latest Update

Total and gradual restriction of air traffic to countries and territories severely affected by coronavirus is currently being implemented. On this website, Vindobona.org provides information on questions and answers regarding the current status at Vienna International Airport (Flughafen Wien-Schwechat) and the international airlines operating from there, as the relevant websites often contain hardly any updated information on the recently enforced flight bans and flight connection suspensions of individual airlines.

March 8, 2020

Air Travel to Austria: Further Flights Stopped Due to COVID-19 Spread

To contain the coronavirus, direct flights from Austria to Iran, South Korea and the northern Italian airports of Bologna and Milan will be discontinued in the next two weeks. Passengers from third countries require a medical certificate. This was announced by the Federal Government during a press conference broadcast nationwide. Details as follows.

March 7, 2020

Vienna Airport - Good Results 2019, but Coronavirus is Uncertainty Factor

Vienna International Airport (Flughafen Wien) is pleased to report an increase of +7.2% in revenues and +15.7% in net profit, but the strong growth in the number of passengers during the past year has now been countered by a major uncertainty factor with the corona virus crisis.

March 3, 2020

What Does the Austrian Government Propose Against the Virus?

The Federal Chancellery is now addressing the public with information and advice on prevention against the coronavirus.

March 2, 2020

Corona Virus: Public Information Campaign Receives Good Response

So far there have been 2,120 tests in Austria, 16 of which have been positive. In addition, there are 350 isolation cases which are in quarantine.

March 2, 2020

Vienna Airport - Risk of Delays

There is currently a risk of major delays at Vienna International Airport (Flughafen Wien), especially when passengers have to be checked by the health authorities for possible coronavirus suspicion.

February 29, 2020

No More Direct Flights Between Beijing and Vienna

Because of the coronavirus crisis, Air China has now also temporarily suspended all flights between Beijing and Vienna. AUA Austrian Airlines already suspended all flights to China on 6 February 2020 - provisionally until the end of the winter flight schedule.

February 26, 2020

Vienna International Centre: First Suspected Case of COVID-19

The first suspected case of coronavirus infection was reported today from the Vienna International Centre. More than 5,000 employees from more than 125 countries are working in the VIC, also known locally as "UNO City". The UN family in Vienna consists of about 36 international organizations. Wednesday at 4:54 p.m. the all-clear was given. The patient tested negative for the virus.

February 26, 2020 · Updated: February 26, 2020; 16:54

First Suspected Case of Coronavirus in Upper Austria: All-Clear

A suspected case of coronavirus occurred today in the Upper Austrian city of Linz. The all-clear was given in the late afternoon. The tests for COVID-19 were negative.

February 25, 2020 · Updated: February 25, 2020; 17:20

Austria Reports Its First Two Coronavirus Cases as Outbreak Widens

In the Austrian province of Tyrol, two people have been proven to be infected with the coronavirus. A second test was also positive. These are the first two confirmed cases in Austria. The infected persons are two 24-year-old Italians from Lombardy who live in the Tyrolean capital Innsbruck.

February 25, 2020 · Updated: February 25, 2020; 14:25

Coronavirus: Emergency Meeting of Central European Health Ministers in Rome

At the invitation of the Italian Government, the Health Ministers of Austria, Italy, Slovenia, France, Switzerland and Germany are meeting today.

February 25, 2020

Austria is Arming itself against the Coronavirus

The Austrian Federal Government today presented a package of measures against "all" upcoming scenarios, with the aim of ensuring transparency, information and protection for the population. The next 2 to 3 weeks will be decisive in determining how the coronavirus situation develops.

February 24, 2020

Italy-Austria: Coronavirus Emergency Measure Caused Chaos and Panic

A false coronavirus alarm paralysed train traffic between Italy, Austria and Germany. Meanwhile the far right Freedom Party demands that the National Security Council should discuss the situation and that travel to Austria from the affected regions should be restricted.

February 24, 2020 · Updated: February 24, 2020; 11:57

Coronavirus: Temperature Checks Effective Immediately at Vienna Airport

Following a decision by the Austrian health authorities, the body temperature of passengers on direct inbound flights from China are being measured at Vienna International Airport (Flughafen Wien Schwechat) with respect to coronavirus.

February 6, 2020 · Updated: February 24, 2020; 09:31

Guide to VAT Refund for Visitors to Austria - Cash Refund at Vienna International Airport

Austria has one of the highest refund rates for large purchases, at up to 15%. A convenient way for visitors from third countries or non-EU countries is to apply for a cash refund of the VAT at the airport (Flughafen Wien Schwechat) on all their purchases made in Austria before their return flight.

February 10, 2020

Austrian Measures against the Novel Coronavirus

At a press conference at Vienna International Airport (Wien-Schwechat) on the coronavirus, Minister of Health Anschober and Minister of the Interior Nehammer provided information on the measures taken by Austria and the airport as follows..

February 7, 2020

Traffic Development at Vienna Airport on the Upswing

The passenger volume rose by 10.8%, the number of aircraft movements rose significantly and 74 airlines regularly flew to Vienna. New additions included the long-haul destinations Tokyo, Cape Town and Shenzhen, according to the annual financial statements and management report 2018 of Vienna Airport (Flughafen Wien AG).

April 11, 2019

Congress Tourism in Vienna Continues to Boom

Vienna as a congress destination is booming. Last year, the metropolis achieved record figures for conference participants and added value. Around 631,000 participants (plus three percent) attended 4,685 congresses and company events (plus 15 percent), which resulted in 1,925,000 overnight stays (plus three percent). A single congress participant spends 541 euros per day.

April 5, 2019

Vienna International Airport Permitted to Build Third Runway

The Austrian Administrative Court has rejected objections from citizens' initiatives and residents and confirmed the authorization for the construction of the third runway at Vienna Schwechat Airport (Flughafen Wien Schwechat).

March 21, 2019

Vienna in Airport Ranking only in Midfield

According to a comparative study entitled "Airport Worldwide Rankings 2018" with 141 airports surveyed worldwide, Vienna International Airport (Flughafen Wien Schwechat) occupies only 49th place.

March 5, 2019

Irish Ryanair Acquires Austrian Laudamotion Completely

The Austrian Niki-Airline successor Laudamotion has now been taken over 100% by Ryanair. Ryanair last held three quarters of the shares of Laudamotion. No information was given about the price for the remaining 25 percent.

January 29, 2019

Vienna Airport Surpasses 27 Million Passengers for the First Time

Vienna International Airport was able to handle 27 million passengers for the first time last year, a year-on-year increase of 10.8%. The top destinations were London, Moscow and Bangkok. 74 airlines serve 205 destinations in 71 countries. In the ranking of airlines as measured by their share of overall passenger volume, Austrian Airlines was followed by Eurowings (incl. Germanwings), the easyJet Group, Lufthansa and Laudamotion. The increase in the number of passengers in 2019 is estimated at 10%.

January 28, 2019

Agressive Southern Chinese Airline Launches Shenzhen-Vienna Service

The South Chinese carrier Hainan Airlines is pushing ahead with its expansion into Europe by adding Vienna - Shenzhen as the next non-stop route after Zurich at the end of August. The new twice-weekly flights will take off on October 20th, connecting Vienna with Shenzhen on Thursdays and Saturdays using the airline's Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft (see picture).

October 12, 2018

Austrian Airlines Celebrates 60th Birthday

Austrian Airlines Österreichische Luftverkehrs Aktiengesellschaft was founded on 31 March 1958. This week, 2,500 guests celebrated the 60th birthday of the red-white-red airline in the hangar at Vienna Schwechat Airport.

May 25, 2018

International Congresses: Vienna Worldwide Number Two - UN Events Contribute 7% of Conference Nights

The Vienna meetings industry progresses from record to record. With 186 meetings, Vienna remains behind Paris with 196 meetings, number 2 in the Worldwide Ranking of the ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association). In the year prior to that, Vienna was still in fifth place. The proportion of congresses that can be allocated exclusively to the United Nations is enormous and accounts for around 7% of overnight stays.

April 24, 2018