Wiener Neustadt/Ost Airport (LOAN)

LOAN (Wiener Neustadt Ost) is a well-organized, GA-focused airfield about 30 miles south of Vienna, home to Diamond Aircraft. The airport operates VFR only but offers a cloud-breaking procedure and published Z/Y IFR transition procedures; see AIP and the airport website for details. Approaches, especially for runway 09 and 27, require careful preparation due to tight circuits and nearby military airspace; steep descents may be necessary from the east because of surrounding terrain. For customs/immigration (non-Schengen), advance notice is required—at least two hours is recommended—and an online form is available.

Service is described as friendly and efficient, with helpful staff and quick turnaround for fueling and parking. Fueling takes place next to the Diamond factory, with payment at their reception. Both Avgas and Jet A1 are available, as well as Mogas. Facilities include a GA terminal, the Fliegerstüberl café (recommended), Katana Café, a small museum in the first hangar, and several hotels within walking distance; Orange Wings Hotel is about 150 meters from the field. Free WiFi is sometimes available in terminal areas but not always reliable or present in all cafés.

Ground transport options include taxis (to Wiener Neustadt main station or Vienna), App2Drive rental cars parked just outside the fence (book via app), and a train connection from Wiener Neustadt to Vienna Hauptbahnhof taking 30–45 minutes; taxi rides to the station cost around €10, and train fares are about €10 one-way.

Fees are generally moderate but can add up with surcharges: landing fees for typical GA aircraft since 2021 range from about €18 to €42 depending on weight and operation; parking starts at about €15–18 per day after four hours; IFR arrival or departure each about €30; night landing up to €150; customs/immigration about €8. Example: landing fee about €40 for a typical visit including parking. Additional surcharges apply for early departures or late operations.

Noise abatement requires avoiding overflight of nearby villages and strict adherence to published arrival/departure routes due to adjacent military airspace. Crosswinds can be significant on runway 09, with wind shifts possible near touchdown.

LOAN is considered an excellent base for visiting Vienna or as a technical stop for ex-Schengen flights, offering efficient handling, good facilities, and convenient access to ground transport. Procedures vary; see AIP/NOTAM.

Information from ourairports.com:

• 2012-01-17: Avoid the military airfield west of the aerodrome; expect parachute activity during military duty hours, especially when arriving runway 10 or departing runway 28.

Source: ourairports.com (one-time import)