The Supreme Administrative Court (VwGH) in Austria has approved construction of a third runway at Vienna International Airport.
The court overturned appeals made by local residents and environmental groups on the basis of noise complaints and environmental impact of the third runway.
In their complaints, the citizens’ groups alleged that noise will be caused due to the landing of additional aircraft, especially in landings that cross the urban area of Vienna.
The VwGH clarified that the third runway is not intended for landings over the Vienna city area during normal operations, and it is aimed at decreasing noise pollution in the area.
The management board of Flughafen Wien, the company which manages Vienna Airport, welcomed the verdict of the VwGH.
Flughafen Wien management board members Julian Jäger and Günther Ofner said: “Today is an important and positive day, not only for Austria as a business and tourism location. An overly long process has come to a positive and incontestable decision.
“This decision ensures the long-term growth perspectives and competitiveness, not only for Vienna Airport but for the Austrian economy, industry, tourism and labour market.”
The third runway is important for the future of Vienna International Airport, as it will reduce delays, fuel consumption, and noise by abolishing allotment patterns and queued aircraft during peak hours.
The airport said that it will now examine the court decision and provide information about the next steps in the near future.
Vienna Airport welcomed an increase in passenger numbers of just fewer than 11% for 2018 to 27 million. The airport expects to welcome more than 30 million travellers this year.
