Prague Airport to invest EUR1bn over 10 years to increase capacity to 21m pax p/a

Prague Václav Havel Airport outlined (05-Apr-2017) plans to invest around CZK27 billion (EUR1.01 billion) over the next 10 years in projects including extensions to terminal 2 and construction of a new parallel runway as part of plans to increase capacity from 15 million to 21 million passengers p/a. Key strategic projects include development of terminals and adjacent areas for aircraft, increasing capacity of the runway system, changes to the public area in front of the terminal buildings and development plans for the greater airport area. The airport plans to invest CZK2.3 billion (EUR86.1 million) in additional check-in and security facilities by 2020 and will then increase aircraft movements on the main runway. T2 will become the main handling area for passengers and baggage. Capacity will be further expanded to 28 million passengers p/a and the airport is also working on improvements to the ground access system and parking options. Details include:

• Space for up to seven check-in aisles and increasing check-in desks from 60 to up to 168;
• Creation of a central security control post with throughput of up to 5500 passengers per hour;
• Increase aircraft stands from 50 to 75, including increasing large capacity stands from four to 18;
• The addition of combined aircraft stands capable of handling one large or two small aircraft.

The airport handled a record 13 million passengers in 2016 and numbers are expected to increase 8% in 2017. Capacity demands on the airport are expected to increase significantly with 3.4% p/a growth in passenger numbers over the next 20 years. Czechs currently make 0.58 international trips per person p/a, of which 40% are by air. The figure is forecast to increase to 1.24 trips per person p/a in 20 years. [more - original PR]