Austria’s biggest airport, the Vienna International Airport, handled 22.8 million passengers in 2015. This has risen, year-on-year, at 1.3% from 2014. Also in 2015, the airport attained a four-star ranking and received the award for the best airport staff in Europe.
To continue its quality services, the operator of Vienna airport, Flughafen Wien, announced a future terminal development project in April 2016. The project, which involves the expansion and modernisation of existing terminal facilities, aims to increase passenger comfort by expanding the shopping and gastronomy offerings and creating a central security area. This will also enhance the airport’s earnings and profitability. By implementing these improvements, the airport aims to achieve a five-star rating.
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The project will be implemented over seven years, between 2016 and 2023, and is estimated to cost up to €500m. The supervisory board approved a planning budget of up to €39m for the planning process, which is scheduled to begin roughly after two years of project development.
Vienna Airport Terminal 2 modernisation details
Terminal 2, which is located between terminals 1 and 3, will be modernised and expanded as part of the proposed expansion. The existing security checks, located at the gates B, C and D, will also be relocated and a central security screening will be installed to enable passengers to move freely between the three terminals. After the security check, passengers will also be able to use all of the shopping, food, and lounge facilities, as well as other passenger services.
All of the facilities, and the infrastructure, of Terminal 2 will be completely modernised, bringing a new look to the building. The terminal’s roof will be renovated, and the walls, floors, and lighting will be upgraded. The baggage claim area will be expanded by adding three new baggage carousels that will serve passengers arriving at gates C and D.
Terminal 3 enlargement at Vienna Airport
A new building will be constructed towards the southern side of Terminal 3, adjacent to the check-in area. This will add up to 10,000m² of new space for shopping and food services, as well as a new waiting area.
The new building will create a connection to the Pier East and other terminal areas, enabling the passengers to conveniently move through all gate and shopping areas. It will also provide spectacular views of the airport apron, and will feature new exclusive lounge areas.
East pier modernisation
There will be a comprehensive redesign and modernisation of the two-storied East Pier, which handles A380 aircraft, along with its D gates. The partition walls of the old D gates will be replaced by light, spacious gate areas.
A docking facility will be created to enable the pier to handle wide-body aircraft. A new and high-quality shopping and gastronomy space will also be constructed for the pier.
Work is already underway, with adaptation work in progress. The regular operation of the A380 is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2016, while completion is expected by the end of June 2016.
Completion of the east pier modernisation will increase traveller convenience, as current security check points at the D gates will be relocated to one large central security area in Terminal 2.
Terminal development project timeline at Vienna airport
The expansion project at Vienna airport is divided into four phases. The first phase will see the assessment of a selection of the most economically viable and functional alternative designs, over a two-year development phase.
The second phase, which will extend over a period of 18-24 months, will involve detailed project planning. The approved planning budget will be also utilised. During the third phase, the supervisory board will approve the project implementation. The final phase, which is scheduled to begin in 2018, will be implemented under various sub-projects.
