Airport Codes For Austria: What Travelers Need To Know

what is airport code for austria

Austria has a good network of airports to accommodate the needs of tourists visiting the country. The country has six international airports, including Vienna International Airport, which is the largest airport in Austria and is located 16 to 20 kilometres from the capital city. Vienna Airport, also known as Flughafen Wien-Schwechat, has four terminals and two runways and is served by airlines such as British Airways, EasyJet, and Turkish Airlines. The airport's IATA code is VIE and its ICAO code is LOWW.

Characteristics Values
Name of the airport Vienna International Airport
Other names Flughafen Wien-Schwechat, Wien-Schwechat Airport
Location Schwechat, 16-20 km southeast of central Vienna
IATA code VIE
ICAO code LOWW
Number of terminals 4
Number of runways 2
Airlines Austrian Airlines, Ryanair, Wizz Air, British Airways, EasyJet, Royal Jordanian, Turkish Airlines, Hainan Airlines, China Airlines, Condor, SunExpress, Eurowings, Jet2.com, TUI Airways, IndiGo, etc.
Annual capacity 30 million passengers

shunculture

Vienna International Airport, the country's largest airport, is located 16-20 km from the city centre

Vienna International Airport, also known as Vienna Airport, is the largest airport in Austria. It is located in Schwechat, 18 kilometres (11 miles) southeast of central Vienna, and 57 kilometres (35 miles) west of Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. The airport is accessible by car, train, and bus.

The airport was originally built as a military airport in 1938 and was used during World War II as the Heinkel firm's southern military aircraft design and production complex. In 1945, it was taken over by the British and became RAF Schwechat during the occupation of Austria. In 1954, the Betriebsgesellschaft was founded, and the airport replaced Wien-Aspern Airport as Vienna's principal aerodrome. The airport has continued to expand and develop over the years, with new runways, terminals, and facilities being added regularly.

Vienna International Airport has four terminals and two runways, with a third runway currently under construction. The airport is capable of handling wide-body aircraft, including the Airbus A380, and offers a dense network of European destinations along with long-haul flights to Asia, North America, and Africa. It serves as the hub for Austrian Airlines and as a base for low-cost carriers Ryanair and Wizz Air.

The airport features various amenities and facilities for passengers, including car parks connected to the terminal buildings, a variety of shopping and dining options, and an underground railway station with connections to the national motorway network. The airport also has an Office Park that offers rentable space for businesses.

With its convenient location and comprehensive facilities, Vienna International Airport plays a crucial role in connecting Austria to the world, accommodating millions of passengers and aircraft movements each year.

shunculture

Vienna Airport's IATA code is VIE and its ICAO code is LOWW

Vienna International Airport, located in Schwechat, serves as the primary airport for Vienna, Austria's capital. Its IATA code is VIE, and its ICAO code is LOWW.

The airport is about 16-20 kilometres (10-12 miles) southeast of central Vienna and 57 kilometres (35 miles) west of Bratislava, Slovakia's capital. It is the country's largest and busiest airport, ranking among Europe's busiest airports. It is the hub for Austrian Airlines and a base for low-cost carriers Ryanair and Wizz Air, among others.

Vienna International Airport first opened as a military airport in 1938 and was utilised during World War II as the Heinkel-Sud facility. It was converted into a British military airport in 1945, known as RAF Schwechat. The airport's official name, according to the Austrian Aeronautical Information Publication, is Wien-Schwechat Airport.

The airport has undergone numerous expansions and improvements since its inception. It currently has four terminals and two runways, with a third runway planned to be completed by 2027. Terminal 2, constructed in 1960, was the airport's original terminal. Terminal 3, also known as the Austrian Star Alliance Terminal, is the newest facility, enabling the airport to handle up to 30 million passengers annually.

shunculture

Salzburg Airport, also known as Mozart Airport, is the second-largest airport in Austria

Salzburg Airport has two terminals and is well-connected to the city centre, with trolleybus lines 2 and 10 providing regular service every 10 minutes. The airport offers outstanding scheduled flights to major European cities and excellent connections to hubs in Frankfurt, Dubai, London, and Istanbul. It also features a strong low-cost carrier network and regular chartered flights to popular holiday destinations in the Mediterranean during the summer and Northern Europe in the winter.

The airport's compact and clear design aids in efficient passenger movement, and it can accommodate around 1.7 million passengers annually. Terminal 1 is the main building, with 26 check-in desks, several service counters, shops, restaurants, and a visitors terrace. Terminal 2 is smaller, with nine additional check-in counters, four boarding gates, and a special area for ski equipment check-in. It is primarily used for seasonal peak-time traffic and events during the rest of the year.

The history of Salzburg Airport dates back to the early 20th century, with the first powered aircraft taxiing onto a new race track in Salzburg-Aigen in 1910. During World War II, the airport was seized and used by the Luftwaffe, remaining undamaged despite multiple air attacks on the city of Salzburg. In 1958, a new control tower was constructed, and a new terminal was opened in 1966. Salzburg Airport has continued to expand and improve its facilities over the years, solidifying its position as the second-largest airport in Austria.

shunculture

Innsbruck International Airport is the most difficult airport to land at in Austria

Austria has a good network of airports to meet the travel needs of tourists and locals alike. The country has six international airports, including Vienna International Airport, which is the largest in the country.

However, one of these airports stands out as being particularly challenging to land at: Innsbruck International Airport, also known locally as Kranebitten Airport. Located in the Tyrolean capital of Innsbruck, the airport is nestled in the stunning Alps mountain ranges. While this provides a spectacular view for passengers, it also presents a unique set of challenges for pilots.

The airport is a Category C airport, which means it has special difficulties that require pilots to undergo specific training before using it. The approach or ascent over the eastern end of the runway goes over the inner city at a fairly low altitude, demanding a high level of precision and skill from pilots. Adding to the complexity, the airport's single runway is surrounded by mountainous terrain, resulting in vicious winds and currents that pilots must navigate during the approach and descent.

Compounding the difficulty, the Innsbruck area experiences Foehn conditions, a typical local wind that blows through the Inntal Valley and generates turbulence. This unpredictable weather, coupled with the geographical obstacles, makes Innsbruck International Airport one of the trickiest airports in Europe, according to Charlotte The Pilot. In fact, only a flight's captain can conduct the approach into Kranebitten, and even they must undergo specialized training and experience take-off and landing first-hand before attempting it themselves.

Innsbruck International Airport's unique challenges demand a high level of proficiency from pilots, solidifying its reputation as the most difficult airport to land at in Austria.

shunculture

Austria has six international airports, including Graz Airport and Linz Airport

Linz Airport, also known as the "Upper Austrian gateway to the world," serves as a crucial aviation hub for Upper Austria. It is jointly owned by the state of Upper Austria and the city of Linz, each holding a 50% stake. Linz Airport has a long history of accommodating diverse aircraft, from the supersonic Concorde to large cargo planes like the Antonov An-124 Ruslan. The airport is conveniently located for travellers, offering easy access to Linz and connections to other parts of Austria.

Both Graz Airport and Linz Airport contribute significantly to Austria's aviation industry and play a vital role in connecting the country with the rest of the world. They offer a range of facilities and services to ensure a seamless travel experience for passengers.

In addition to Graz and Linz Airports, Austria's other international airports include Vienna International Airport (IATA: VIE, ICAO: LOWW), which serves as the country's largest airport and a hub for Austrian Airlines. Vienna Airport boasts an extensive network of European and long-haul destinations. Salzburg Airport and Innsbruck Airport are also among the international airports in Austria, offering connections to various locations.

With six international airports, Austria ensures efficient air travel within the country and beyond, facilitating tourism, business, and easy access to the beautiful landscapes and cultural offerings that the country has to offer.

Frequently asked questions

The airport code for Vienna International Airport is VIE.

Vienna International Airport is located 16km or 18km from the city centre of Vienna.

Airlines that fly to Vienna International Airport include British Airways, EasyJet, Royal Jordanian, Turkish Airlines, Hainan Airlines, China Airlines, Condor, SunExpress, IndiGo, and more.

Salzburg Airport, also known as Mozart Airport, is the second-largest airport in Austria.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment