Bratislava Airport sees 99% passenger surge as Vienna Schwechat declines

Bratislava Airport has experienced a massive surge in activity, reporting a 99 percent increase in passengers from January to September compared to the previous year. This growth has seen the airport surpass its 2025 annual record, handling nearly 3.7 million travelers in nine months. The increase is supported by airline expansions, notably Ryanair, which is increasing its winter schedule and expanding its base in Bratislava.

In contrast, Vienna Schwechat Airport is seeing a decline. Günther Ofner, a board member at Schwechat, attributed this shift to Austria’s aviation tax, which he described as a “shot in the foot” that drives business across the border. While Austria levies taxes of 12 to 30 euros per passenger, Slovakia does not impose such a fee. This competitive difference has contributed to shifts in airline operations, including Wizz Air leaving Schwechat and Ryanair moving more aircraft to Bratislava.