Re­me­di­a­tion of Con­t­a­m­i­nated Sites

2018 – Elevated PFAS levels detected
In 2018, elevated PFAS levels were measured in groundwater samples taken downstream of Salzburg Airport as part of a special federal monitoring program ("Trace substances in groundwater," commissioned by the then Federal Ministry for Sustainability and Tourism). PFAS are known as "forever chemicals" because they barely degrade in the environment over the course of decades. Investigations into the source revealed that the PFAS presence was caused by the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam. Presumably since the 1960s, small quantities of firefighting foam—which was approved and met the state-of-the-art standards of the time—had been introduced into the soil during mandatory firefighting exercises conducted as part of airport operations. Both the firefighting exercises and the foam used were fully compliant with regulations at all times.

Upon learning of the PFAS detections in the soil and groundwater, the airport immediately discontinued these applications at the site and procured an alternative firefighting agent. Comprehensive testing of the newly adopted substances has been initiated since then.

2022 – Press conference and public event
In March 2022, immediately following a press conference for the media, the then-Chairman of the Supervisory Board informed the general public about the status of the investigations during a dedicated information event. From the outset, it was important to the airport to build upon a foundation of valid data and to involve a team of recognized experts from various fields to support the process.

Final delineation of the contaminated site
The contaminated site has now been definitively delineated through extensive soil investigations conducted in close cooperation with the Environment Agency Austria; the corresponding listing under the Contaminated Sites Ordinance was published in September 2026. The scale of the contamination proved to be significantly larger than originally anticipated—posing a key challenge in the pursuit of a long-term solution, as the airport is breaking new ground in this area within Austria.

Groundwater treatment plant (hydraulic containment)
Since January 2024, hydraulic containment has been implemented via a groundwater treatment plant (Phase 1) as part of initial measures to address PFAS contamination, thereby counteracting the spread of pollutants in the groundwater.

Environmental Monitoring by the State of Salzburg
Environmental monitoring conducted by the State of Salzburg has so far revealed no acute health risk to the population. Nevertheless, as a precautionary measure, it is advised not to use affected groundwater for drinking or to consume fish from the affected bodies of water.

Regulatory Submission for Remediation Phase 2
In April 2026, following extensive assessments and close coordination with the team of experts, the project for the long-term containment of the contaminated site (Phase 2) was submitted to the State of Salzburg in its capacity as the competent authority under the ALSAG (Contaminated Sites Remediation Act).
One of the major hurdles to implementation remains the lack of a secure disposal pathway for PFAS-contaminated material in Austria: the necessary amendment to the Landfill Ordinance—which is intended to establish binding limit values ​​for the landfilling of PFAS-contaminated soil for the first time—is still pending. Salzburg Airport has been urging its rapid enactment for some time and is calling upon the federal government and all relevant stakeholders to act. Only once this legal framework is in place can a market for authorized disposal companies emerge—a process that will take time.

Potential disruptions during the Phase 2 construction period
As with any construction project of this scale, noise and vibration disturbances may occur during the remediation phase. The airport has already engaged relevant experts and is seeking advice on environmental health to minimize the impact on local residents. Affected parties will be informed in good time once a concrete construction schedule is available following further tendering processes. Dedicated contact channels will be available throughout the construction phase to ensure prompt responses to inquiries.

2nd Press Conference and 2nd Public Event
On October 12, 2026, the airport will provide the public with detailed information regarding the current status and next steps of the Phase 2 remediation project. This will take place at Amadeus Terminal 2 during a press conference and a public event for interested parties and affected residents.