Václav Havel Airport Prague

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Václav Havel Airport Prague (Template:Langx Script error: No such module "IPA".; Template:Comma separated entries), formerly Prague Ruzyně International Airport (Script error: No such module "Lang". Script error: No such module "IPA".), is an international airport of Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. Its official name according to the Air Navigation Services of the Czech Republic is Praha/Ruzyně Airport.[1] The airport was founded in 1937 when it replaced the Kbely Airport (founded in 1918) as the city's principal airport. It was reconstructed and extended in 1956, 1968, 1997, and 2006. In 2012, it was renamed after the last president of Czechoslovakia and the first president of the Czech Republic, Václav Havel. It is located at the edge of the Prague-Ruzyně area, next to Kněževes village, Script error: No such module "convert". west of the centre of Prague[2] and Script error: No such module "convert". southeast of the city of Kladno.

In 2018, it served around 17 million passengers.[3] It served as a hub for Czech Airlines until it ceased operations in late 2024 and it serves as a hub for Smartwings, and as an operating base for Ryanair and Eurowings.

History

File:Ruzyně, staré letiště (04).jpg
Old control tower built in 1937 (rear view) – now part of Terminal 4
File:Eisenhower at Prague Airport 1945.jpg
Old control tower (front view) during the visit of Dwight D. Eisenhower to Prague on 12 October 1945

Foundation and early years

Prague–Ruzyně Airport began operations on 5 April 1937,[4] but Czechoslovak civil aviation history started at the military airport in Prague–Kbely in 1919. The Prague Aviation Museum is now found at Kbely Airport.

Due to the insufficient capacity of Kbely Airport by the mid-1930s, the government decided to develop a new state civil airport in Ruzyně. Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Among the major awards Prague Ruzyně Airport has received is the Diploma and Gold Medal, granted in 1937 at the occasion of the International Art and Technical Exhibition in Paris Script error: No such module "Unsubst". (Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne, also known as Paris 1937 World's Fair) for the technical conception of the central airport, primarily the architecture of the check-in building (nowadays known as Terminal 4) designed by architect Adolf Benš.[5]

In one of the most dramatic moments in its history, the airport was seized by Soviet paratroopers on the night of 20–21 August 1968, who then facilitated the landing of Soviet troops and transports for the invasion of Czechoslovakia.[6]

Moreover, the Ruzyně fields provide opportunities for further expansion of the airport according to the increasing capacity demand. The airport serves as a hub of the trans-European airport network.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Political and economic changes have significantly influenced Prague–Ruzyně Airport's seventy-year history. Some new air transportation companies and institutions have been founded and some have ceased operation since 1937. Ten entities have been responsible for airport administration over time, including the new construction and development.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Development since 2000

The airport stood in for Miami International Airport in the 2006 James Bond film Casino Royale.[7]

An online petition organised by a Slovak film director, Fero Fenič, calling on the government and the Parliament to rename Prague Ruzyně Airport to Václav Havel International Airport attracted – in just one week after 20 December 2011—the support of over 65,000 signatories both within and outside the Czech Republic.[8] A rendition of the airport with the proposed Václav Havel name in the form of his signature followed by his typical heart symbol suffix was included in the blog's article in support of renaming of the airport.[9] This name change took place on 5 October 2012 on what would have been Havel's 76th birthday. The PRG name of the airport for IATA and ICAO will remain the same.

The main runway 06/24 was reconstructed from 2012 to 2013 due to poor technical conditions. During reconstruction, runway 12/30 was the only usable runway as runway 04/22 is closed permanently.[10] The runway reconstruction was originally planned for three stages. The first stage in 2012, the second stage in 2013 and the last stage in 2014. Runway 12/30 (which would be used during the reconstruction of the main runway) is not equipped for low visibility landings as it offers only ILS CAT I landings. In addition, the approach path of runway 12/30 goes above high-density population areas (such as Prague 6 and Kladno). Therefore, the second and the third stage of the runway reconstruction had to be merged so the works could be finished in 2013.[11][12]

Expansion plans

File:PRG Airport Map.png
Airport map

Terminal expansion

An expansion of the existing terminals is scheduled to start construction sometime during the year 2027 or 2028. A new concourse is supposed to be built to expand the existing Terminal 2 and it will be south of the mentioned terminal and north of the new runway (see "New runway"). It will accommodate both non-Schengen (departure and arrival) and Schengen flights (arrival only). It will contain 8 jetway gates and 10 non-Schengen bus gates. An extension of the check-in hall at Terminal 1 is also going to be made. Modifications will be made to the existing concourses (including concourses A and B). Terminal 1 will be used only for Schengen flights and Terminal 2 will be used for both Schengen and non-Schengen flights. In addition, one Schengen bus gate will be added to concourse A. This project is supposed to be completed by 2033.[13][14]

Railway connection

The construction of a railway connection between airport and Prague city centre Masarykovo train station is also in the planning stage. The track will be served by express trains with special fares, connecting the airport non-stop with the city centre in 25 minutes,[15] and local trains fully integrated into Prague integrated transit system.[16]

The train track will also connect the airport to the city of Kladno, Veleslavín, Dejvice, Výstaviště and Bubny railway stations. As of 2025, it was said that the construction will start in 2027 and the railway will open in 2030.

Infrastructure

File:View one the Prague Airport.jpg
View on pier B (Terminal 1) and C (Terminal 2)
File:Prg Ruzyne airport 5841.JPG
Terminal 1
File:Prague Airport Terminal 2.jpg
Terminal 2

Terminals

Prague Airport has two main passenger terminals, two general aviation terminals, as well as a cargo facility. Most flights depart Prague Airport from the North Terminals (Terminals 1 and 2). The South Terminals (Terminals 3 and 4) handle a few irregular flights, as well as VIP flights, special flights and small aircraft.

  • Terminal 1 is used for flights outside the Schengen Area; it was opened in 1968 and rebuilt in 1997, it includes concourses A and B
  • Terminal 2 is used for flights within the Schengen area; it was opened on 17 January 2006, it includes concourses C and D
  • Terminal 3 is used for private and charter flights; it was opened in 1997
  • Terminal 4 is used exclusively for VIP flights and state visits; it is the oldest part of the airport, and was opened on 5 April 1937.[17]

There are also two freight terminals. Cargo Terminal 1 is operated by Menzies Aviation Czech, while Cargo Terminal 2 is operated by Skyport.

Runways

The airport contains two runways in service: 06/24 (till April 1993 07/25) and 12/30 (till May 2012 13/31). Former runway 04/22 is permanently closed for take-offs and landings and is used for taxiing and parking only.[2][10] The most used runway is 24 due to the prevailing western winds. Runway 30 is also used often. Runway 06 is used rarely, while runway 12 is used only exceptionally.

Other facilities

File:CSA building Ruzyne.jpg
APC Building, the head office of Czech Airlines at Prague Airport

Czech Airlines has its head office, the APC Building,[18] on the grounds of Prague Airport.[19] On 30 December 2009 CSA announced that it would sell its head office to the airport for CZK 607 million.[20] Smartwings have their head office on the airport property.[21][22] The Civil Aviation Authority also has its head office on the airport property.[23]

Operations

The company operating the airport is Prague Airport (Letiště Praha, a. s.), a joint-stock company that has one shareholder, the Ministry of Finance. The company was founded in February 2008, as part of a privatisation process involving the Airport Prague (Správa Letiště Praha, s.p.) state enterprise. This action was in accordance with the Czech Republic Government Memorandum Nr. 888, which had been passed on 9 July 2008. On 1 December 2008, Prague Airport took all rights and duties formerly held by Správa Letiště Praha, s.p., and Prague Airports took all business authorisations, certificates, employees, and licenses from the former company.[24] The head office of Prague Airport is in Prague 6.[25] The former state-owned enterprise had its head office on the airport property.[26][27]

Airlines and destinations

Passenger

As of 2024, Prague Airport offers flights to more than 170 destinations, with 70 carriers operating the flights. The following airlines operate regular scheduled and charter flights at Prague Airport:[28]

Template:Airport-dest-list

Notes
  • <templatestyles src="Citation/styles.css"/>^1 Smartwings charter flight from Prague to Mombasa makes a stop in Marsa Alam. However, the airline does not have traffic rights to transport passengers solely between Marsa Alam and Mombasa.

Cargo

Template:Airport destination list

Statistics

Annual passenger numbers

Year
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Passengers
handledTemplate:Efn
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Passenger
% change
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Cargo
(tonnes)
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Cargo
% change
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Aircraft movements
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Aircraft movements
% change
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2001[29] 6,098,742 29,571
2002[30] 6,314,653 Increase3.54 34,829 Increase17.78 103,904
2003[31] 7,463,120 Increase18.19 41,440 Increase18.98 115,756
2004[29] 9,696,413 Increase29.92 46,885 Increase13.14 144,962
2005[29] 10,777,020 Increase11.14 46,002 Decrease-1.88 160,213
2006[32] 11,581,511 Increase7.46 54,972 Increase6.27 166,346
2007[33] 12,436,254 Increase7.38 55,179 Increase0.38 174,662
2008[34] 12,630,557 Increase1.56 47,870 Decrease-13.25 178,628
2009[35] 11,643,366 Decrease-7.82 42,476 Decrease-11.27 163,816 Decrease-8.57
2010[36] 11,556,858 Decrease-0.74 58,275 Increase37.19 156,052 Decrease-4.63
2011[37] 11,788,629 Increase2.01 62,688 Increase7.57 150,717 Decrease-3.50
2012[38] 10,807,890 Decrease-8.32 52,977 Decrease-15.49 131,564 Decrease-12.78
2013[39] 10,974,196 Increase1.54 51,902 Decrease-2.03 128,633 Decrease-2.77
2014[40] 11,149,926 Increase1.60 50,897 Decrease-1.93 125,437 Decrease-2.43
2015[41] 12,030,928 Increase7.90 50,595 Decrease-0.59 128,018 Increase0.62
2016[42] 13,074,517 Increase8.67 71,091 Increase40.51 136,766 Increase6.74
2017[43] 15,415,001 Increase17.9 81,879 Increase15.18 148,223 Increase8.40
2018[44] 16,797,006 Increase8.97 80,915 Decrease-1.18 155,532 Increase4.81
2019[45][46] 17,804,900 Increase6.00 81,768 Increase1.05 154,777 Decrease-0.48
2020[47] 3,665,871 Decrease79.40 52,442 Decrease-35,86 54,163 Decrease-65.00
2021[48] 4,388,826 Increase19.72 64,402 Increase17.08 61,194 Increase12.98
2022[48] 10,734,880 Increase244.60 47,774 Decrease-22.19 100,629 Increase64.44
2023[49] 13,828,137 Increase28.82 43,856 Decrease-8.2 118,046 Increase17.30
2024[50] 16,353,522 Increase18.26 134,609 Increase14.03

Busiest routes by city

Rank City (all airports) 2024[50]
1 Template:Flagicon London 1,385,866
2 Template:Flagicon Paris 719,419
3 Template:Flagicon Amsterdam 651,465
4 Template:Flagicon Milan 605,690
5 Template:Flagicon Rome 535,577

Busiest routes by country

Rank Country 2024[50]
1 File:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom 2,107,931
2 File:Flag of Italy.svg Italy 1,896,121
3 File:Flag of Spain.svg Spain 1,618,351
4 File:Flag of France.svg France 975,064
5 File:Flag of Turkey.svg Turkey 954,312

Ground transportation

Road

File:PANA0801.jpg hd.jpg
Fleet of very long trolleybuses which Prague bought in 2024 for the line which connects the airport with the Nádraží Veleslavín metro station

Buses of DPP, the Prague Public Transit Co., serve both terminals 1 and 2 frequently, connecting it to Prague and other surrounding towns. Since 2024, a frequent trolleybus line 59 connects both terminals directly to the metro A station Nádraží Veleslavín, from which people can get to the city center.[51] The ride to the metro takes around 15 minutes and the metro ride to the center also around 15 minutes.

A Czech Railways public bus service, AE – AirportExpress, connects Terminal 1 with Praha hlavní nádraží. From the bus station in front of Terminal 1 there are also regular buses to Kladno, intercity buses of Regiojet run every 30–60 minutes to Karlovy Vary and Cheb.

Proposed rail connection

File:Praha Bubny, železniční stanice.3 (2025).jpg
Praha-Bubny railway station was reconstructed in 2025, and is one of the first parts of the construction of the modernised railway leading to the airport.

There are plans to build a rail connection to the airport. Preliminary work commenced in 2018, with procurement proceedings launched the following year. Main construction was expected to start around 2023,[52][53][54] but as of 2025 construction had not yet begun.[55] According to a 2021 media report, the airport is to be served via a branch off the Prague-Kladno line, including an underground station to serve the airport. The project also includes double tracking and electrifying the existing single-track railway. The plan also includes upgrades to Prague-Masarykovo station, which began in 2024.[56][55] The project is notable for being the first ever public-private partnership in Czech railway history, and is expected to be completed around 2030 at a cost of 28 billion crowns.[55]

Accidents and incidents

  • On 19 February 1973, Aeroflot Flight 141, a Tupolev Tu-154, crashed half a kilometre short of the airport during final approach. While most of the passengers survived the crash, many died in the fire that followed. Altogether 66 people died out of the 100 passengers and crew. The crash was the first loss of and the first fatal accident involving a Tu-154.[57]
  • On 30 October 1975, Inex-Adria Aviopromet Flight 450, a Douglas DC-9-32 hit high ground during an approach in fog to Prague Ruzyně Airport. 75 of the 120 passengers and crew on board were killed.[58]
  • On 21 October 1981, a Tupolev Tu-154B flown by Malév landed hard after flight from Amsterdam. The fuselage broke into two main parts, making the aircraft damaged beyond repair. Everybody on board survived; 24 passengers were injured.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
  • On 29 March 1989, two teenagers from Czechoslovakia armed with grenades and shotguns hijacked Malév Flight 640 at Prague Ruzyně Airport, and forced the Tupolev Tu-154B with 15 hostages to fly to Frankfurt Airport in West Germany before surrendering.[59]

See also

Notes

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References

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  4. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Oxford Index, from A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture in Oxford Reference Template:Webarchive. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  18. ↑ "The Settlement of Land Relations between Czech Airlines and the Prague Airport Authority to Increase the Value of Both Companies Prior to their PrivatisationScript error: No such module "Unsubst".." Czech Airlines. 22 August 2008. Retrieved on 15 February 2010.
  19. ↑ "Imprint Template:Webarchive." Czech Airlines. Retrieved on 4 February 2010. "Letiště Ruzyně Prague 6 160 08 Czech republic"
  20. ↑ Heijmans, Philip. "Czech Airlines sells headquarters to Prague Airport Template:Webarchive." The Prague Post. 6 January 2010. Retrieved on 31 January 2014.
  21. ↑ "Contacts Template:Webarchive." Travel Service Airlines. Retrieved on 14 November 2011. "Travel Service, a. s. K Letišti 1068/30 160 08 Prague 6 Czech Republic"
  22. ↑ "Contact Template:Webarchive." Smart Wings. Retrieved on 19 February 2012. "Office at Prague airport K letisti 1068/30 160 08 Praha 6 Czech Republic"
  23. ↑ Home page. Civil Aviation Authority. Retrieved on 25 February 2012. "Postal and visitor's address: Civil Aviation Authority Czech Republic Václav Havel Airport Prague 160 08 Praha 6"
  24. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  25. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  26. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  28. ↑ prg.aero - Route map and timetable retrieved 7 September 2022.
  29. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  30. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  31. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  32. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  33. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  34. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  35. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  36. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  37. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  38. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  39. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  40. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  41. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  42. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  43. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  44. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  45. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  46. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  47. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  48. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  49. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  50. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  51. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  52. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  53. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  54. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  55. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  56. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  57. ↑ Template:ASN accident
  58. ↑ Template:ASN accident
  59. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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External links

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