Real-time data from aviation-analytics platform Flightera showed that as of 16:30 CET on 6 January, 20 % of departures and 8 % of arrivals at Vienna International Airport were running late, with average holdups of 30 and 45 minutes respectively. A cold front brought sub-zero temperatures and light snow overnight, requiring de-icing and slowing ground-handling turnover.
The airport authority says two de-icing pads are operating at capacity, but a seasonal spike in absenteeism among ramp staff—many of whom live in Lower Austria and faced treacherous roads—has trimmed manpower. Austrian Airlines has activated its voluntary re-booking policy for passengers willing to travel 7–9 January instead.
For business-traveller programmes, the disruption is a timely reminder to preload buffer time into meetings and to encourage the use of airline apps for push alerts. HR teams moving assignees this week should verify that temporary accommodation bookings in Vienna can flex if late-night arrivals miss check-in windows.
![Snow and Staffing Issues Push Vienna Airport Departure Delays to 20 % on 6 January]()
Should any delayed passengers discover that the knock-on effect of rescheduling takes them beyond their allotted visa-free stay, VisaHQ can fast-track the necessary paperwork. Its Austria portal (https://www.visahq.com/austria/) lets travellers and mobility managers arrange extensions or new visas online, often without a consulate visit—handy when winter weather is already complicating trips.
Under EU 261, passengers delayed more than three hours on intra-EU flights from Vienna may claim up to €250, but weather-related knocks often escape compensation. Travel managers should therefore focus on proactive re-routing rather than post-event claims.
Vienna Airport forecasts normal operations by the morning of 7 January as temperatures rise and additional staff report for duty.
The airport authority says two de-icing pads are operating at capacity, but a seasonal spike in absenteeism among ramp staff—many of whom live in Lower Austria and faced treacherous roads—has trimmed manpower. Austrian Airlines has activated its voluntary re-booking policy for passengers willing to travel 7–9 January instead.
For business-traveller programmes, the disruption is a timely reminder to preload buffer time into meetings and to encourage the use of airline apps for push alerts. HR teams moving assignees this week should verify that temporary accommodation bookings in Vienna can flex if late-night arrivals miss check-in windows.
Should any delayed passengers discover that the knock-on effect of rescheduling takes them beyond their allotted visa-free stay, VisaHQ can fast-track the necessary paperwork. Its Austria portal (https://www.visahq.com/austria/) lets travellers and mobility managers arrange extensions or new visas online, often without a consulate visit—handy when winter weather is already complicating trips.
Under EU 261, passengers delayed more than three hours on intra-EU flights from Vienna may claim up to €250, but weather-related knocks often escape compensation. Travel managers should therefore focus on proactive re-routing rather than post-event claims.
Vienna Airport forecasts normal operations by the morning of 7 January as temperatures rise and additional staff report for duty.
