Three is not the magic number: Vienna Airport backs down on plans for third runway
November 27, 2025
While London Heathrow has received government backing for its £48 bilion plans for a third runway this week, Vienna Airport in Austria has officially terminated its plans for a third runway.
Much like Heathrow’s runway expansion plans, Vienna Airport’s plans for a third runway have been in the pipeline for almost 30 years. Vienna’s third runway has been the subject of intense debate since 1996. However, amid increasing construction costs and lengthy approval processes, plans have now been scrapped.
Clear decision to scrap Vienna’s third runway
In a LinkedIn statement, Julian Jäger, Vienna Airport’s CEO and COO, said it was a “clear decision to not pursue plans any further.” The decision, he added, followed in-depth analysis of the plans.
“The underlying conditions have fundamentally changed in recent years: efficiency per aircraft movement has increased significantly (2005: 71; 2024: 139 passengers), projected construction costs have risen to around €2 billion, and excessively long approval procedures reduce planning certainty.
“Under these circumstances, building a new runway would not be economically viable today. Instead, we are investing strategically in terminal capacity and utilising our existing two-runway system to ensure reliable growth – up to 52 million passengers per year,” Jäger’s statement read.
In the first three quarters of 2025, more than 24 million passengers travelled through the airport, an increase of almost 2% on the same period last year.
Not a smooth runway to success
The airport’s plans for a third runway have repeatedly come up against opposition. In 2017, Austria’s constitutional court overturned a ruling that had blocked the project on climate grounds. Meanwhile, airlines including Ryanair and Austrian Airlines have also opposed Vienna Airport’s runway plans, amid concerns around increased tariffs that would be imposed to fund the project.
While the cancellation of plans does not prevent future reconsideration of a new runway. Any future proposals would require a new approval process and evidence of renewed operational need.
Hot on the heels of government backing for Heathrow’s third runway
While Vienna has abandoned plans for a third runway, London Heathrow is moving ahead with its plans after Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL) received backing for its £49 billion plans for a new 3,500m runway earlier this week.
“Heathrow is our only hub airport which supports trade, tourism, and hundreds of thousands of jobs, underpinning prosperity not only in the South East but across the UK,” said UK transport secretary, Heidi Alexander.
The UK Government stated that HAL’s proposal for the third runway, which requires rerouting a section of the M25 motorway, offered the most deliverable options. The plans are also likely to meet the Government’s ambition for a decision on a Development Consent Application within this parliament.
“We’re acting swiftly and decisively to get this project off the ground so we can realise its transformational potential for passengers, businesses and our economy sooner,” added Alexander.
Heathrow’s third runway subject to regulatory requirements
With Heathrow’s plans still subject to regulatory models, the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has reinforced its commitment to seeking the best regulatory models to support a third runway and protect consumers by promoting efficient and effective spending on capacity expansion.
Selina Chadha, group director of consumer and markets, UK CAA, said: “We are seeking to develop the regulatory framework to both deliver the best outcomes for consumers and support the Government’s timetable for the delivery of the expansion.
Chris Tarry, Chair of the UK’s Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), cautioned that plans must “not be rushed.” According to CILT (UK), the case for Heathrow’s expansion is no longer clear-cut, given that other UK and London-area airports are adding capacity. This additional capacity is also complemented by network developments.
“The actual final form of the proposed expansion must stand up to proper scrutiny – not just politically but economically, operationally and environmentally,” said Tarry.
“All voices must be heard – airlines, regional airports, local communities, cargo interests – in a process that is genuine and transparent. A future Heathrow needs to be affordable for users, sustainable and deliverable, where there are demonstrable benefits for the UK.
