among aviation enthusiasts for the amount
of Russian traffic it attracted during the
peak ski season. As economic sanctions
have taken their toll, the situation has
changed recently, with visitor numbers from
Russia well down. “In 2013 we had 55,000
passengers coming from Russia,” said
Klaus. “In 2014 we had 38,000 passengers
and in 2015 – please don’t ask. The people
living there have to pay double the price they
paid for their holiday the year before.
“I can remember the time when the
British pound was ‘in the cellar’ – [British]
people didn’t y to Salzburg. Two years later
that gure is rising again.” Klaus believes an
easing of international tensions will lead to
Russians returning to Salzburg in numbers.
Despite the demise of Transaero – which
used to regularly visit the airport with Boeing
747-400s during the ski season – and the
general downturn in Russian traffic, several
carriers still y to Salzburg, including S7 and
Ural Airlines.Scandinavia was a strong market for the
airport this winter and the UK is another
key destination – Karres describing it as
“stable” – while Germany accounts for
around 700,000 business and leisure
passengers a year.
Global companies like PALFINGER,
Red Bull, Aldi and Mercedes have
offices in Salzburg, boosting the airport’s
business traveller numbers. Klaus said:
“We have a lot of business people coming
from the German airports to Salzburg.
It’s very convenient for people to have an
airport connecting to the whole world on
their doorstep.”
Klaus is expecting this year to be one of
consolidation, with no major changes to the
route network, noting: “I think the new ones
[routes] will come in 2017 or 2018 – 2016 will
be a quiet year.”GENERAL AVIATION
Throughout the year Salzburg welcomes
signi cant numbers of general aviation (GA)
aircraft, whether it’s the wealthy ying in for
skiing or high-level executives visiting on
business.The airport is also home to several ight
training schools, adding to the GA movements.
While charter and scheduled services account
for around 18,000 movements, the GA gure is
almost double that at about 38,000.
Based operator Air Link provides private jet
charter services from the airport and fractional
rm NetJets is a frequent visitor. “We’ve
also got business jets here from Mercedes,
PALFINGER and Kaindl, [companies] that
have factories as far away as China. [These
are] global players that have their aircraft
based here,” said Karres.
Adding to those are the aircraft of The
Flying Bulls, the aviation arm of world-
renowned energy drinks rm Red Bull. The
company’s eet of executive jets, warbirds
and helicopters is based in the impressive
Hangar-7 and Hangar-8 on the far side of the
runway, which Klaus calls “a little airport at
the airport”.
Salzburg Airport W.A. Mozart is perfectly
positioned for anyone wanting to explore the
surrounding lakes and mountains, or visitors
to the global brand rms based in the city. Its
links to Europe’s biggest hubs should ensure it
continues to prosper.Left: The airport’s new control tower cost
€14m to construct, with a further €9m spent
on air traffic control equipment.54 Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft May 2016Right: Glorious winter sunshine bathes Niki
Airbus A320 OE-LEF as it rests between
ights on the ramp at Salzburg.
Below right: S7 Airlines linked Salzburg
with Moscow Domodedovo this winter.
AirTeamImages.com/Michael Priesch50-54_salzburg.JR.mfJR.indd 54 08/04/2016 11:20