# Vienna Airport Faces Sharp Passenger Decline

October 18, 2026 at 11:30 AM

> Vienna Airport expects two million fewer passengers as airlines shift to cheaper hubs, prompting calls to abolish the flight ticket levy.

**Vienna International Airport** is facing a significant downturn, expecting two million fewer passengers this year. Board member Günther Ofner reports that **Wizz Air** has ceased operations at the hub, while **Ryanair** has relocated several aircraft to Slovakia.

Lower Austria Governor **Johanna Mikl-Leitner** and Vienna Governor **Michael Ludwig** are calling for the abolition of the flight ticket levy. The tax currently costs 12 euros per ticket, rising to 30 euros for short-haul flights under 350 kilometers in distance.

Regional leaders aim to restore competitiveness as costs in nearby Bratislava, just 55 kilometers away, are one-third cheaper. Minister Peter Hanke has pledged 30 million euros in annual crisis aid starting in 2027 to support the airport's future stability.


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