AUSTRIA. Vienna Airport is preparing to restart operations at the remodelled Terminal 2 on 29 March, with Sense of Place central to the facility’s bright new look and updated commercial offer. The investment in the terminal was around €62 million.
Among the highlights is the 2,400sq m ‘Vienna Lounge’, comprising typical Viennese design elements, high-quality furnishings and a panoramic view of the airport apron. The F&B offer is supplied by well-known local caterer Donhauser, with meeting rooms, relaxation rooms and shower areas among the features.
In cooperation with the Leopold Museum, the lounge is decorated with art prints of well-known works by major local artists such as Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt and others.
After the new centralised security checkpoint a varied shopping and restaurant arena features, among others, Heinemann Duty Free, Swarovski, Juice Factory, CAPI, Lami and Convenience Shop. Zugvogel, a full-service restaurant with views of the airport apron, is reopening, and Veganista/The LaLa-Store featuring vegan delicacies will also feature. Popular Austrian restaurant brand Trzesniewski will open pre-security.
The main hall in T2 is decorated with elegant chandeliers produced by Viennese company J&L Lobmeyr. Other highlights include modernisation of Pier East containing the D gates for non-Schengen flights.
Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig, Lower Austrian Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner and Vienna Airport Management Board members Julian Jäger and Günther Ofner officially inaugurated the terminal this week.
Mikl-Leitner said: “The airport is an indispensable hub for all of Lower Austria and continuously demonstrated this important role during the pandemic. The airport’s passenger estimates make me optimistic that there will be a comeback of aviation, which in turn creates jobs and generates value for Lower Austria. The newly designed Terminal 2 creates an excellent environment for travellers to stay and one that measures up internationally. We can be proud of this in Lower Austria.”
Michael Ludwig said: “Vienna continues to be a popular tourism destination in spite of the challenges relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the first point of entry for all passengers, Vienna Airport is an important calling card for the city. I am particularly gratified to see that the beauty of Viennese culture and tradition are even reflected in the new design of Terminal 2. Vienna Airport is a vital hub for the entire Vienna business and tourism location, but also for the entire eastern region and beyond.”
Julian Jäger said: “Despite this horrible war against Ukraine and the dynamic development of the COVID-19 pandemic, we expect Vienna Airport to experience significant passenger growth in the spring and summer of 2022. I am pleased that we can offer our passengers a completely new experience during their stay at the airport starting on 29 March 2022, thanks to the new Terminal 2 and above all, the new Vienna Lounge. The oldest area of the terminal now shines in new splendour reflecting Austrian and Viennese culture.”
Günther Ofner added: “Vienna Airport also invested in the future during the crisis, and completely modernised the oldest part of the terminal at a cost of around € 62 million. Our construction department and all suppliers succeeded together in implementing an international flagship project on schedule and on budget in spite of the challenges posed by the pandemic, short-time work and an uncertain passenger development. I look forward to passengers convincing themselves of this new offering as of the end of March.”
Vienna Airport said it was putting Terminal 2 into operation “in a timely manner to coincide with the start of the Summer flight schedule” and prepare for the “travel-intensive summer season”.
It noted that “the desire of Austrians to travel is more pronounced than ever before in spite of the tragic events unfolding in Ukraine and the ongoing dynamic development of the pandemic. As a result, Vienna Airport expects a significant increase in passenger volumes in the Spring and Summer of 2022.”
