Innsbruck Airport (IATA: INN, ICAO: LOWI), also known as Kranebitten Airport, is the main international airport in Tyrol, western Austria. Located approximately 2.5 miles (4 km) from the centre of Innsbruck, it serves as a gateway to the Austrian Alps, providing access to major ski resorts and alpine destinations. The airport handles a mix of year-round regional flights and seasonal international traffic, particularly to European cities. Winter months see a significant surge in passenger numbers due to the high volume of skiers and winter tourists traveling to the region.
The airport was originally opened in 1925 as a modest airfield and gradually expanded over the decades. Its challenging alpine location, surrounded by mountains, requires specialized pilot training and makes it one of the more demanding airports in Europe for takeoffs and landings. Throughout its history, Innsbruck Airport has modernized its facilities, adding a passenger terminal, upgraded runway systems, and navigation aids to accommodate increasing traffic and larger aircraft.
In 2024 the airport handled 862,202 passengers in scheduled and charter traffic. That same year recorded 7,573 aircraft movements (takeoffs and landings combined). Despite a 4.9 % drop compared with 2023, the airport continues to recover from pandemic-era lows and remains an important hub for seasonal travellers.
INN maintains a single asphalt runway (08/26) of 2,000 m (6,562 ft), capable of handling small props, regional jets, medium and long‑range jets, regional airliners, and certain larger aircraft — though operations remain sensitive to alpine weather, terrain, and seasonal demand. Over half of its annual passenger traffic occurs during the winter ski season, underscoring its role as Tyrol’s main air link for tourism.