New terminal landscape

Terminal project gathers momentum: Between 2027 and 2030, the first phase of the major “terminal landscape” construction project will be implemented, providing the airport with modern infrastructure for the handling of departing passengers.

The terminal landscape at Salzburg Airport, whose main building dates back to 1966, is in urgent need of renewal in terms of its structure, technical systems and regulatory requirements. The construction of a new terminal landscape is therefore unavoidable – it is time for a fundamental change.

A well-functioning and modern transport infrastructure is essential for the greater Salzburg region and is indispensable for the mobility of both the economy and the people. As the airport’s most strategically important project, the terminal renewal will involve the entire airport team over the coming years.

The requirements – ranging from shops to the operational handling areas as well as spaces for security, passport control, police and customs – have been coordinated with all parties involved. The current draft design will now be further developed. A final “design freeze” for the overall project is scheduled for early 2025, followed by the submission and approval planning phases.

At the end of 2024, the Supervisory Board approved the ongoing project. The airport’s owners, the City and Province of Salzburg, have pledged an investment grant of around EUR 35 million.

The first construction measures for the new build and renovation were originally planned for 2026. However, as with many construction projects, an alternative timeline and back-up plans are in place in case various factors and risks affect the originally planned schedule. The rough timetable had envisaged the 2025 financial year as the year of final planning and 2026 as the year in which the first construction measures would begin.

The airport must now take an alternative route for the “New Terminal Landscape” project and postpone the effective start of construction to 2027. For a project of this scale, planning certainty, legal certainty and cost certainty are essential in order to minimise risks for the planned undertaking.

The construction area of the “New Terminal Landscape” is located close to the site where PFAS contamination has been detected in the groundwater. It is therefore to be expected that contaminated excavated material will arise during the construction work. At present, Austria lacks disposal options for PFAS due to the absence of a legal basis. Since it would be too risky to rely on the timely adoption of the amendment to the nationwide Landfill Ordinance, the start of construction has been postponed by one year. It is expected that a disposal option will be created by then.

In addition to the main “terminal development” project, various further structural adaptations will be necessary in order to ultimately transform the airport into an energy-optimised overall ensemble by 2033.

On this website, we will keep you updated on the construction development of the major Terminal project, and the page will be continuously updated with pictures, plans, and FAQs (questions and answers).