Corporate | 5 June 2012 10:45
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Flughafen Wien AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous
Successful start of Skylink operations First 10,000 passengers handled in new 'Check-in 3' From check-in to security controls and boarding: all systems basically functioning as planned Old arrivals hall now closed, all passengers arriving in the new terminal Renovation of Terminal 1 to start at the end of June 2012 The terminal extension Skylink ('Check-in 3') has been in operation since this morning, and all systems are basically functioning as planned. The morning peak hour, the first real test, was easily mastered: 116 flights with roughly 10,000 passengers had been handled by 10:00 am, and today's schedule calls for 440 flights with almost 37,000 travellers. In the early morning hours – at 4.45 am, the first flight (OS 9542), an Austrian Airlines Boeing 737-800 from Hurghada, docked at the pier of the new terminal. The first departing flight took off at 5.25 am (OS 9123) for Karpathos. The first arriving and departing passengers were personally welcomed by the Management Board of Flughafen Wien AG, Julian Jäger (COO) and Günther Ofner (CFO). The first departing passengers, Adele H. and Hanna P., two young Prague residents, with their daughters Julia and Magdalena also received a gift in the form of a shopping voucher. After a trial phase, when interim adjustments can be made, the official opening of the new terminal will take place on 21 June 2012. Modifications will, of course, also be made after that time to continuously improve functionality and convenience at Vienna Airport. 'Today is a great day for Flughafen Wien. With this terminal, Vienna Airport is entering a new era. I would like to thank the Management Board and the entire team for bringing this difficult project to a successful conclusion. The successful start of operations is also a result of the future-oriented course the company has taken under its new management', commented Erwin Hameseder, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Flughafen Wien AG. 'When you start operations with complex machinery like an airport terminal, you are always walking on thin ice', summarised Julian Jäger, 'and that's why we are extremely pleased over the smooth functioning of nearly all systems. All in all, we can say the start-up was a success'. CFO Günther Ofner is also pleased with the results: 'The tension of the past weeks has now given way to satisfaction and relief. The schedule was met and costs are under control. However, we did have a few nervous minutes – for example, with a two-hour power outage during the first peak period test.' Both members of the Management Board cited the enormous team spirit as a success factor: 'Without the expert project management by Norbert Steiner starting in 2009 and the substantial commitment of all involved employees, this would not have been possible. We would like to thank all these men and women for their efforts'. In the future, roughly 60% of all passengers will be handled in the new terminal. Airport personnel will be distributing handy orientation plans to help the first travellers find their way through the terminal. Arriving passengers were also greeted warmly with a Viennese waltz in the new arrivals hall that provided an opportunity for a short dance.
Successful overnight relocation
New central arrivals hall for all travellers at Vienna Airport
Intensive preparations: training for 2,800 employees at the airport
New shopping and gastronomy offering: gourmet restaurants and exclusive wine bars
Multimedia installations by Ars Electronica and family lounges
Travel and the time people spend at airports are also the subject of spectacular multimedia installations by the well-known Ars Electronica: at six stations visitors can experience new travel perspectives in various time dimensions: landscapes of letters move across oversized LCD screens and change interactively when passengers walk through boarding card controls. Large stylised 'nodes' on numerous screens show the departures and arrivals at Vienna Airport in real time, and the 'Last Clock 'installation visualises live pictures of the happenings at the airport over 24 hours in a circular form. Passengers can see these and other works by Ars Electronica at the check-in level and in the F and G Gate areas. Flughafen Wien also uses this installation as an advertising medium for half the available time.
New terminal designations and additional Gates F and G
New additions are the F and G Gate areas, which will handle nearly all Austrian Airlines departures. Exceptions are the long-haul flights to the USA, which will continue to depart from the D Gates because current regulations require closed gates and the additional control of travel documents.
Modernisation of older areas: renovation of 'Check-in 1' to start in June 2012
Information on the changes at Vienna Airport also available online
Mario Santi
End of Corporate News 05.06.2012 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP – a company of EquityStory AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. DGAP’s Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de |
| Language: | English | |
| Company: | Flughafen Wien AG | |
| Postfach 1 | ||
| 1300 Wien-Flughafen | ||
| Austria | ||
| Phone: | +43-1-7007/22826 | |
| Fax: | +43-1-7007/23806 | |
| E-mail: | investor-relations@viennaairport.com | |
| Internet: | http://www.viennaairport.com | |
| ISIN: | AT0000911805 | |
| WKN: | 884216 | |
| Indices: | ATX Prime | |
| Listed: | Freiverkehr in Berlin, München, Stuttgart; Open Market in Frankfurt; London, Wien (Amtlicher Handel / Official Market) | |
| End of News | DGAP News-Service |
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| 172855 05.06.2012 |