Vienna Airport and the Flughafen Wien Group recorded new passenger and cargo milestones in 2025, despite emerging challenges from rising costs and capacity reductions by low-cost carriers.

The Flughafen Wien Group, which includes Vienna Airport as well as strategic investments in Malta and Košice airports, handled a record 43.4 million passengers in 2025, representing a year-on-year increase of 4.9%. Vienna Airport alone welcomed 32.6 million passengers, up 2.6%, while cargo volumes reached a record 313,763 tonnes, an increase of 5.3%.

Growth was driven primarily by strong leisure demand, with Antalya, Mallorca and Barcelona ranking as the most popular short-haul destinations. Bangkok, New York and Taipei led long-haul travel, while Germany, Spain and Italy were the top country destinations. Türkiye, Israel and the UAE recorded the strongest passenger growth.

The group’s international assets also delivered strong performance. Malta Airport surpassed 10 million passengers for the first time, handling just over 10.0 million travellers (+12.3%), while Košice Airport recorded growth of 12.2% to 825,123 passengers.

“2025 was an absolute record year – Asia and the Middle East grew strongly – 2026 brings challenges – action needed on aviation tax”
“2025 turned out to be a new record year for Vienna Airport: with 32.6 million passengers, we reached a new all-time high in Vienna. Our international strategic investments are also developing very strongly: Kosice Airport achieved growth of 12.2% in 2025, with over 825,000 passengers. Malta Airport exceeded the 10 million passenger mark for the first time with an increase of 12.3% and is now making a considerable contribution to earnings. 2026 will bring a slight decline in passenger numbers, albeit at a high level: we expect around 30 million passengers in Vienna and 41.5 million passengers in the Group. The announced expansion of services by Austrian Airlines and many other airlines will contribute positively to this, as well as the Asian market is growing strongly. The capacity reductions by Ryanair and Wizz Air, which are shifting capacity to Bratislava, where there is no aviation tax, are having a negative impact. This demonstrates the high cost pressure on aviation locations, which Vienna Airport is also facing. Although our fee reduction will increase our international competitiveness, it would be essential to abolish or at least reduce the government aviation tax,” states Julian Jäger, Joint CEO and COO of Vienna Airport.

“Financial outlook for 2026: Cost-cutting programme secures stable net profit of € 210 million despite fare reduction (-4.6%) and slight decline in passenger numbers – Record investments of € 330 million planned at Vienna and Malta locations – EU aviation regulations that hinder growth in urgent need of reform”

“Thanks to a cost-cutting programme for material and personnel costs, the Flughafen Wien Group will achieve a net result of € 210 million in 2026 despite lower fares and a decline in passenger numbers, which is in line with the forecast result for 2025. As we expect growth to return in the future, a record sum of around € 330 million will be invested in Vienna and Malta, with investments at the Vienna site being covered by own funds without the need for loans. In addition to the major Terminal 3 Southern Extension project, 2026 will see the start of construction of Office Park 4 NEXT with 17,000 m² of office space, as well as the construction of Austria’s new Schengen external border at the airport. Around € 6.5 million will be invested in this project. The EU aviation regulation, which is detrimental to growth, is in urgent need of reform – all targets, including those for SAF development, are currently being missed. Austria must finally implement the acceleration of procedures promised in the government programme by amending the EIA procedure,” concludes Günther Ofner, Joint CEO and CFO of Vienna Airport.

Looking ahead to 2026, Flughafen Wien expects passenger volumes to ease to around 41.5 million across the group and approximately 30 million at Vienna Airport. While demand for travel remains robust, growth is expected to be constrained by high operating costs, including Austria’s aviation tax, and capacity reductions by carriers such as Ryanair and Wizz Air.

Despite these pressures, the company forecasts stable financial results in 2026, supported by a cost-cutting programme. Revenue is expected to reach around €1.05 billion, with net profit holding steady at approximately €210 million. Capital investment is set to reach a record €330 million as the airport continues to expand infrastructure and improve competitiveness.

Passenger traffic ended 2025 on a strong note, with the Flughafen Wien Group handling 3.3 million passengers in December, up 9.3% year-on-year, while Vienna Airport alone recorded 2.5 million passengers, an increase of 6.1%.

Img source: Flughafen Wien AG