Topic summary
Bratislava Airport
M. R. Štefánik Airport (IATA: BTS, ICAO: LZIB), also called Bratislava Airport, is the main international airport of Slovakia. It is located about 9 km (5+1⁄2 mi) northeast of the city center of Bratislava, spanning over the area of three municipalities (Bratislava-Ružinov, Bratislava-Vrakuňa, and Ivanka pri Dunaji).
Originally known as Bratislava-Ivanka Airport, shortly after the independence of Slovakia in 1993, it was renamed after General Milan Rastislav Štefánik (1880–1919), whose aircraft crashed near Bratislava in 1919. The airport is owned and run by Letisko M. R. Štefánika – Airport Bratislava, a.s. (BTS). As of September 2014, the company is fully owned by the Slovak Republic via the Ministry of Transport, Construction and Regional Development.
Bratislava is a base for the Slovak Government Flying Service, as well as Ryanair, AirExplore, Smartwings Slovakia, Wizz Air, and Air Horizont during the summer season. During a brief period in 2011, the airport was also a secondary hub for Czech Airlines, and between 2004 and 2005, it was secondary hub for Austrian Airlines. Two maintenance companies, Austrian Technik Bratislava and East Air Company are also based at the airport. Air Livery has one painting bay for aircraft at the airport. The airport is category 4E for aircraft, and category 7 or 8 on request in terms of potential rescue.
Bratislava is located to the north-east of the city center, with direct access from the D1 motorway, covering a catchment area of four countries, and is a one-hour drive from Vienna International Airport located 49 kilometres (30+1⁄2 mi) west of the city centre. Conversely, Bratislava Airport serves as a low-cost alternative for Vienna and the neighbouring areas.