The airport began operations on August 16, 1926, and was known as Salzburg Airport during the American occupation starting in 1945. The operator also refers to it as Salzburg Airport W.A. Mozart.
Located about three kilometers west of the city center in the Maxglan district, the airport is approximately two kilometers from the German border, near Ainring and Freilassing. It sits at an elevation of 430 meters above sea level, on the former site of the Untersberg Moor, within the Salzburg Basin. The Untersberg mountain is located to the south of the airport, which spans an area of 175 hectares.
The history of aviation in Salzburg began on September 4, 1811, when a warm air balloon made its first landing in the region. Twelve years later, in 1823, Joseph Wibmperger founded the area's first aviation company.
On July 16, 1910, the first motorized aircraft took off from a trotting track in Aigen, near Salzburg. As the demand for flights in Salzburg increased, the need for an airfield near the city became apparent after World War I, leading to a proposal on May 31, 1920.
Salzburg Airport is owned by Salzburger Flughafen GmbH, with 75% of the shares held by Salzburg Land Beteiligungen GmbH and 25% by Stadt Salzburg Beteiligungs GmbH. The airport is managed by Bettina Ganghofer. Salzburger Flughafen GmbH also fully owns Salzburg Airport Services GmbH and Secport Security Services GmbH, while holding an 85% stake in Carport Parkmanagement GmbH.
Terminals.
Salzburg Airport features two passenger terminals. Terminal 1 serves as the main building, housing 26 check-in desks, various service counters, shops, restaurants, and a visitors' terrace. The airside area includes 10 boarding gates for both Schengen and non-Schengen destinations. Since there are no jet bridges, passengers board by walking or using buses. There is also a business lounge managed by Salzburg Airport. Terminal 2 is more compact, featuring nine extra check-in counters and four boarding gates, along with a specific area for checking in ski equipment. It provides minimal passenger amenities, mainly serving the seasonal peak traffic.