Press Releases & News

 

The countdown has started: final preparations for the start of operations in the Skylink proceeding at full speed

Numerous changes for passengers starting on 5 June 2012: new designations, a central arrivals hall and central security controls for the Skylink and Pier West

New shopping and gastronomy experience in new shops and restaurants

The terminal extension Skylink will start operations on 5 June 2012 ? and final preparations are proceeding at full speed. All systems are now being converted to real time operations; the last public authority approval procedures are in progress; and the coordination between the various terminal components is undergoing extensive tests. The final relocations, above all the transfer of check-in facilities from Terminal 1 to the check-in hall in the new terminal, will take place during the night from 4 to 5 June 2012.

Vienna Airport expects approx. 37,000 passengers on the first day of operations

For the first day of operations on Tuesday, 5 June 2012, Vienna Airport is expecting roughly 37,000 passengers in the Skylink. The first arriving machine is scheduled for 4.45 am (OS 9054 from Hurghada), and the first departure should take place at 5.25 am (OS 9123 to Karpathos). The check-in counters will open at 3.30 am. Preparations for real time operations will continue at full speed during the days and nights up to that time. Hundreds of employees from Flughafen Wien, Austrian Airlines and numerous partners will be at work over the weekend and throughout the night hours to ensure the successful start of operations.

Starting on 5 June 2012, operations in the Skylink will bring a number of changes for passengers arriving at or departing from Vienna Airport. The airport terminals will receive new names: Terminal 1 becomes “Check-in 1“ (counters 150-199), Terminal 1A becomes “Check-in 1A“ (counters 111-132), Terminal 2 becomes “Check-in 2“ (counters 201-299) and the Skylink can be found under “Check-in 3“ (counters 301-399). These new designations are necessary because the Skylink will double the existing terminal and operating space with an increase of 150,000 m².

Austrian Airlines and Star Alliance partners to depart from the new terminal

Check-in procedures for all carriers handled by Austrian Airlines will now take place in Check-in 3. With only a few exceptions (Aegean Airlines, Turkish Airlines and Brussels Airlines), all Star Alliance flights will now use Check-in 3. The major Star Alliance partners are Austrian, Adria Airways, Croatia Airlines, Egyptair, LOT, Lufthansa, Swiss and TAP. The check-in counters for flights with other airlines, such as Air Berlin, NIKI and many more, can still be found in Check-in 1A and Check-in 2. Check-in 1 (the former Terminal 1) will be closed and revitalised beginning in mid-June 2012.

New Gates F and G, new central security controls for Check-in 3 and Pier West

Travellers who have checked in with their airline in Check-in 3 will then pass through the new central security control zone, where 15 high-tech lines provide for fast and uncomplicated completion of the necessary controls. On their way to the aircraft, passengers will then be able to browse through an expansive shopping and gastronomy area near the new F and G Gates. Nearly all Austrian Airlines flights will depart from these gates. Exceptions are the long-haul flights to the USA, which will continue to depart from the D Gates because current regulations require closed gates and the additional control of travel documents.

The previous Gates B, C and D will remain in operation. Another new feature is a central security control for Pier West, which will be installed from 5 to 23 June 2012. Passengers departing from the B and C Gates will then be guided through a central security control zone after the plaza and can stroll through the Pier West shopping and gastronomy area or wait for their flights directly at the gates. The previous security control lines directly at the Pier West gates will be removed.

New central arrivals hall for all travellers at Vienna Airport

Vienna Airport will offer arriving passengers a new, modern arrivals hall starting on 5 June 2012. All passengers -- including passengers arriving in Pier East, Pier West or an open aircraft position -- will enter this new terminal arrivals hall and collect their baggage here. In addition to the baggage carousels, this area contains numerous shops and gastronomy facilities, such as a Spar Gourmet supermarket, which are also available to non-travellers. The arrivals hall provides directs access to the City Airport Train (CAT), the rapid transit railway, car park no. 4, short-term parking area K3 and the bus station.

Shop and restaurant highlights: Wini Brugger’s “Indochine“ and top brands

In the new terminal, passengers can experience a wide variety of new shops with well-known international brands and new restaurants ? the offering ranges from the Asian gourmet cuisine of Austria’s star chef Wini Brugger in the “Indochine Light“ to fine wines in the “SkyWineLounge“ and “DeCanto” wine bars and a relaxed coffeehouse atmosphere in the “Meinl Foodcourt“ and “Caffé Ritazza“. A large Duty Free/Travel Value Shop managed by the leading shop operator Heinemann and numerous top brands such as Lagerfeld, Dolce & Gabbana and Thomas Sabo provide a wide range of shopping opportunities. These and many other bistros and shops can be found in the new terminal. Work by tenants in the new shopping and gastronomy areas of the Skylink is in progress, and over 82% of the shops and restaurants will open on 5 June 2012. The other areas will open consecutively during the coming weeks after completion by the tenants.

Information on the changes at Vienna Airport also available online

Detailed information on the changes taking place at Vienna Airport with the opening of the new terminal is also available on the Flughafen Wien homepage under www.viennaairport.com/terminal. Among others, this information shows the check-in areas used by the individual airlines and the check-in counters for individual flights as well as layout plans with details on the shops and restaurants, lounges and services provided at Vienna Airport.

For additional information contact: Flughafen Wien AG Press Office

Peter Kleemann (+43-1-) 7007-23000                                        

Clemens Schleinzer (+43-1-) 7007-22399                                 

Stefanie Tomanek (+43-1-) 7007-26939