Austrian Airlines operated its final regular flight between Vienna and Graz on Friday, October 23, ending a service that ran for 63 years, zdopravy.cz reported. The cancellation coincides with major infrastructure expansions on Austria’s southern rail corridors that significantly cut travel times and increased train frequencies between the cities.
Ending a Six-Decade Aviation Route
The Vienna-Graz air link began operating in May 1963. During peak periods, Austrian Airlines scheduled up to four flights daily between the two destinations, though frequency dropped to twice daily over the summer. Economic factors drove the decision to scrap the route, as the airline reported a loss of approximately 12 million euros across its domestic network over the preceding 12 months, according to an August announcement cited by zdopravy.cz. Chief Executive Officer Annette Mann confirmed that the airline faces severe financial pressure from short-haul operations.
Originally, Austrian Airlines planned to maintain the route until the completion of the Semmering Base Tunnel, scheduled for late 2029. However, persistent losses forced an earlier termination. The carrier is also ending its Vienna-to-Zagreb route on January 10, 2027, after more than 40 years of service, with Croatia Airlines taking over operations while Austrian markets the seats under its own code. Additionally, Austrian will hand over its direct flights to Cologne to its sister airline, Eurowings, in January.
Rail Expansions Transform Southern Transit
The closure of the domestic air link follows the December opening of the Koralm Railway, featuring the 33-kilometer Koralm Tunnel. While this new alignment connects Graz and Klagenfurt rather than directly shortening the Vienna-Graz track, it allowed Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) to reorganize long-distance timetables. ÖBB increased daily Vienna-Graz round trips from 18 to 33, while the Koralm project as a whole spans 133 kilometers of new track designed to speed up north-south transit.
@_austrian Airlines: around 15 million passengers flown in 2025. Austrian Airlines became the 3rd most punctual airline in Europe in 2025. 99.3 per cent of Austrian Airlines’ flight departed on schedule in the previous year.https://t.co/KPPx1bQODi pic.twitter.com/Xr8YAPIij0
Rail connections to Vienna International Airport also improved under the new schedules. Seven direct trains now run daily from Graz to the airport terminal, with the fastest journey taking two hours and 45 minutes. Austrian Airlines integrates these services through its AIRail ticketing platform, allowing passengers to purchase a combined train and flight ticket under a single booking—a partnership that has operated since 2020. Once the 27.3-kilometer Semmering Base Tunnel opens at the end of 2029, ÖBB estimates the train trip between Vienna and Graz will drop to roughly one hour and 50 minutes.
Maintaining Regional Connections
Graz Airport will retain robust international connectivity despite the loss of the Vienna hop. Wolfgang Grimus, director of Graz Airport, noted that roughly 98 percent of passengers utilized the Vienna flight solely to connect to onward international departures. Travelers can now route through hubs in Munich, Frankfurt, or Zurich instead. Lufthansa Group plans to operate 46 weekly flights between Graz and those three major European hubs.
The network cuts reflect a broader restructuring across the Lufthansa Group, which cites high operating costs, expensive jet fuel, and the general unprofitability of short-haul aviation. As part of this fleet evolution, Austrian Airlines is phasing out all 17 of its 120-seat Embraer E195 regional jets by the end of 2028, replacing them with larger Airbus A320neo aircraft.
Common Questions About the Route Closure
Why did Austrian Airlines cancel the Vienna to Graz flight?
The airline canceled the route due to long-term unprofitability, citing a 12 million euro loss across its domestic Austrian network in the year leading up to its August announcement.
How can travelers get from Graz to Vienna Airport now?
Passengers can take one of seven direct daily ÖBB trains connecting Graz to Vienna International Airport, with the fastest journey taking two hours and 45 minutes, booked independently or through Austrian’s AIRail system.
What will happen to Graz Airport’s connections to major international hubs?
Graz Airport will maintain 46 weekly flights to Munich, Frankfurt, and Zurich operated by the Lufthansa Group, allowing travelers to make international connections previously handled via Vienna.
When will the Semmering Base Tunnel open to further shorten rail travel?
The 27.3-kilometer Semmering Base Tunnel is scheduled for completion at the end of 2029, at which point ÖBB projects the train trip between Vienna and Graz will decrease to about one hour and 50 minutes.