Saturday, 15 March 2025
Prague’s Václav Havel Airport is set to undergo a significant transformation in the coming years as part of a modernization project aimed at increasing capacity and efficiency. The plan includes the demolition and reconstruction of several parking structures, the rebuilding of the elevated roadway leading to Terminal 2, and the expansion of both airport terminals. A key component of the project is the introduction of a railway connection and the construction of a train station to improve accessibility.
The modernization effort, which carries a preliminary budget of CZK 32 billion, is expected to be completed by 2033. Along with road modifications and reconstructions, preparatory work has begun on a new cable duct and a transformer station to enhance the airport’s electricity supply. Denisa Hejtmánková, spokesperson for the airport police, confirmed these developments to the Czech News Agency.
Starting Monday, March 3, and running until the end of June, access to the Aviatická street and the PB parking lot will be restricted due to road repairs in front of Terminal 1. Another key project planned for this year is the construction of a supply corridor beneath Terminal 1 to improve the efficiency of deliveries to shops and restaurants. The corridor is expected to cost approximately CZK 90 million.
Last August, work began on extending the bridge in Aviatická Street, which runs over K Street near the airport. That project is slated for completion in May. In November, construction commenced on the cable duct and transformer station, a project valued at over CZK 1 billion, with completion scheduled for December 2026.
The airport plans to unveil a visualization of Terminal 2’s expansion and modernization in May, with the final architectural study now being completed. Terminal 1 is also set for an expansion. Following the completion of these upgrades, flight operations will be reorganized. Flights to Schengen area countries will be handled from Terminal 1, while Terminal 2 will serve non-Schengen destinations and low-cost airlines. Currently, non-Schengen flights are managed from Terminal 1.
Looking ahead, the airport also has plans for the construction of a parallel runway after 2030. Although no major updates have been made on this front, Hejtmánková confirmed that the Central Bohemian Region’s Building Authority initiated a zoning procedure last year, a necessary step before applying for building permits. A final land-use decision is expected this year.
The parallel runway is expected to increase airport capacity during peak times while allowing for stricter nighttime closures. The main runway will be closed between midnight and 5:30 a.m., while the parallel runway will be out of operation from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Once the parallel runway is completed, an existing perpendicular side runway—currently directing flights over densely populated areas of Prague and Kladno—will be decommissioned, reducing noise pollution for hundreds of thousands of residents.
The modernization will be financed entirely through the airport’s own resources or external commercial funding, without any contributions from the state budget. According to Hejtmánková, the upgrades are expected to increase the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 3.2 percent and create nearly 4,000 full-time jobs. The improvements are also aimed at boosting tourism and business opportunities.
Each year, the state-owned airport contributes at least 20 percent of its net profit as dividends, with the precise amount determined after the closure of audited financial statements. The current dividend policy, agreed upon with the Ministry of Finance, remains in effect until 2028. After that, the company will adjust its financial strategy to account for investments in airport modernization.
Václav Havel Airport handled 16.35 million passengers last year, marking an 18 percent year-on-year increase. In 2024, it aims to process 18.4 million passengers, surpassing the pre-pandemic record of 17.8 million travelers in 2019.
Source: CTK
