Prague Airport presents new capacities, routes, shops and parking

Prague Airport's new development plans.

Faster check-in, a better range of services, bespoke parking, and new direct connections; after the pandemic crisis, Prague Airport can finally present its development plans for the coming years. As a result, passengers can look forward to greater comfort when travelling, starting during their journey to the airport. The new plans are supported by over 90% of Czech citizens. The airport’s 2030 development plans will bring 200 direct connections, 37 long-haul routes, and 10,000 parking places. Last but not least, the airport will be carbon neutral.

Commenting on the future plans, Jiří Pos, Chairman of the Prague Airport Board of Directors, stated that the airport development will be based on the principles of sustainability, innovation, and complexity. “We are glad that the Ministry of Finance has approved the update to our long-term concept and development strategy, with the plan to increase airport capacities as one of its main pillars. We estimate the first phase implementation costs at 32 billion crowns. In this context, I would like to emphasise that no development projects will be funded by taxpayers. We will cover implementation costs of all visions and plans from our own financial resources.”

According to Zbyňek Stanjura, Minister of Finance, Prague Airport plays a vital role not only in the development of tourism, but also of the entire economy. “That is why we fully support the development of Václav Havel Airport Prague. Thanks to it, the airport will contribute to the influx of investments, a richer economy, and international trade growth. I am glad that after the recent crisis management, the company executives may proceed with the concept drafted for the coming years. The airport management has revised the development plans and the proposed strategy was approved by the Ministry of Finance.”

Minister of Transport Martin Kupka added that the terminal capacity expansion, new air connections, and an increase in the number of passengers is not possible to implement without a quality connection with the centre of Prague. “Train connection from Prague to the airport should be launched in 2030, which is in line with the further development plans of Václav Havel Airport Prague. We also want the new railway line from Masaryk station to the airport to be connected to Prague’s main railway station. The aim is to facilitate the connection of long-distance trains with the future traffic to the airport. The Ministry of Transport is prepared to contribute its part to the development and increase in the competitiveness of Václav Havel Airport Prague.”

Václav Havel Airport Prague will be a competitive air hub observing new trends and offering:

• Comfortable transport connection with the centre of Prague and the catchment area of the Czech Republic (capacity-sufficient trolleybus connection from 2024, train connection by 2030)
• Sufficient passenger and aircraft handling capacity (2029–2033)
• Accelerated check-in processes (partially from 2024)
• New direct connections for Czech citizens, attractive connections for foreign travellers (gradually, starting now)
• Expanded offer of shops, restaurants, services including parking and accommodation (gradually, starting this year and during 2024).

By 2030, airport development aims to secure:

• 200 direct connections (now 160)
• 37 long-haul routes (now 21)
• 10,000 parking places (now 6,500)
• 16,000 m² of shops and restaurants (now 11,000)
• 600 hotel rooms (now 380)
• 10,500 m² of lounges (now 2,100 m²).

Moreover, the need to develop Prague Airport is supported by over 90% of Czechs. Based on the Median agency survey for Prague Airport from last August, they consider the construction of transport infrastructure to the airport to be the most important, alongside its modernisation and digitisation, the expansion of air connections to new destinations, sustainable development, and the development of operational capacities, as confirmed by the sales and marketing director of the Median agency, Josef Fišer. “The development of air transport in general is supported by 89% of respondents, which is 7% points more than in 2019.” A total of 2,042 respondents aged 18-65 took part in the survey.

Expanding terminal capacity

The development and expansion of the terminals will increase the capacity to 21.2 million passengers and double the peak hourly capacity. Martin Kučera, Executive Director of Airport Operations, also mentioned the Central Security Checkpoint at Terminal 1. “This will improve passenger comfort, enable more efficient use of capacity, and the transfer of part of the Schengen traffic to Terminal 1. Expanding the capacity of Terminal 2 will then ensure multifunctional operation and flexibility in both Schengen and non-Schengen regimes. In addition, individual carriers will always have only one specific terminal assigned for check-ins, which will also improve passenger orientation around the airport.”

Carbon neutral airport

As part of the development plans, Prague Airport also thinks about sustainability and continuously reduces CO2 emissions in accordance with the conditions of the Airport Carbon Accreditation program. The airport will be carbon neutral and species rich by 2030. At the same time, we will reduce the noise burden. By 2025, five hundred flats/houses will be equipped with ventilation, and we will continuously update our noise abatement measures with an emphasis on night-time operations.