Vienna International Airport: Welcome to Euro-2008

Vienna International Airport (IATA: VIE, ICAO: LOWW) (German: Flughafen Wien-Schwechat), located 18 kilometers southeast of Vienna, is the busiest and biggest airport in Austria.

 

It is often referred to as Schwechat, the name of the nearby town. The airport is capable of handling wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 747 and Airbus A340. The airport is the hub of Austrian Airlines and its subsidiaries, as well as budget airline Niki and Sky Europe.

 

Originally built as a military airport in 1938, it was taken over by the British in 1945. In 1954, the Betriebsgesellschaft was founded, and the airport replaced Aspern as Vienna's (and Austria's) principal aerodrome. There was just one runway, which in 1959 was expanded to measure 3,000 metres. The erection of the new airport building starting in 1960. In 1972 another runway was built.

 

Presently, Vienna International Airport has three terminals. The Mainterminals 1 and 2 and a provisory terminal (1A) was built to offer more space for low-cost carriers. In 2006, the airport started building a new terminal, SKYLINK, which will make the airport more capable of dealing with higher passenger volumes (2007: 18.9 million). This new terminal will also make the airport capable of handling bigger aircraft, such as the Airbus A380. Terminal 1 hosts all Austrian Airlines Group flights, including Star Alliance and Partners. It also hosts Emirates flights. Terminal 1A hosts Fly Niki, Air Berlin, Germanwings, etc. Terminal 2 hosts Air France, Iberia, British Airways, Sky Europe, Qatar Airways, etc.

 

All Terminals are operated by Fraport, Vienna Airport Handling, Swissport and Austrian Airlines. After comletition of SKYLINK, Austrian Airlines and its Partners will move to the new Terminal.

 

Because of its constant growth in passenger numbers and freight, Vienna International Airport has decided to enlarge Austria's biggest airport with several new and respectively adapted buildings.

New Tower: A new Tower was built. With its 109 meters of height, it allows a free overlook of the entire airport area and it offers another spectacular sight: a night laser show, which should welcome the passengers even from the aircraft.

 

New Terminal: Due to constant passenger and freight growth, Vienna International Airport has planned to build another Terminal, SKYLINK, which should be able to compensate higher passenger rates. Construction started in 2006 and will last until late 2008. If there is still an enormous amount of passenger growth, the Masterplan 2015 sees an enlargement of SKYLINK.

 

Third Runway: Due to higher aviation rates, a third runway will be necessary for the airport. A mediation process was held, and the start of the construction of the third runway will be in 2009.

 

Railway station: The underground railway station will be enlarged and a connection to Bratislava will be constructed. Additionally the  CAT  (City Airport Train), which connects the centre of Vienna with the airport in just 16 minutes, will receive a new underground railway station.

 

There are 4 levels at Vienna International Airport:

Level -1 with the platforms of the City Airport Train, metropolitan train system (S-Bahn) and the subterranean passage to Office Park I and Office Park II.

Level 0 - Arrivals with shops, bars, restaurants. Access to buses to Vienna and orther destinations, the NH-hotel and Office Park III.

Level 1 - Departures. Check-in, boarding pass controls, A-gates, B-gates, C-gates and shops, food and beverages. Passport controls.

Level 2 - Restaurant Level. Access by escalator from Terminal 2.

 

The Medical Centre at Vienna International Airport is located next to the car rental counters in the western part of the arrival hall. Staffed by medical doctors, paramedics and registered nurses, it provides first aid 24 hours a day.

 

The Medical Centre is also a WHO-approved international vaccination centre where all vaccinations and advice on travel medicine are available around the clock.

 

A pharmacy is located in the ARCADE shopping area next to Terminal 1 and Multi-Storey Car Park 3. It is open 7 days a week, including public holidays, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

At Vienna International Airport, there are 10 different executive lounges at your disposal. You can spend the time before departure in a pleasant atmosphere where you can relax, work or watch international TV.

 

The new VIP Terminal in the western part of the Airport was designed as a complement to the VIP & Business Centre Annexe.

 

It offers to the VIP passengers an oasis of calm and relaxation away from the stress and bustle. We provide you and your guests with attentive, competent service: wait in comfort in the pleasant, elegant ambience of one of our salons while we complete all the necessary procedures on your behalf. We deal with check-in, luggage check-in, security controls and entry and exit formalities and assist you in all other matters relating to your trip. Top-level security standards complement our range of VIP services.