Prague Airport Awards Best Airlines in 2021

"We drew inspiration from the international context, where the recognition of airlines is a standard procedure performed by airports towards their partners. After a difficult Covid period, we would like to appreciate those who have contributed the most to the resumption and recovery of our operations. At the same time, we want to motivate carriers to pursue further development at Václav Havel Airport Prague," Jiří Pos, Chairman of the Prague Airport Board of Directors, said.

The award recognising the largest year-on-year increase in passenger numbers, Fastest Growing Airline at Prague Airport 2021, is presented to the air carrier that achieved the highest year-on-year increase in the total number of passengers transported compared to the previous calendar year, i.e., compared to 2020, thus contributing the most to the resumption and development of air connections at Václav Havel Airport Prague. For the year 2021, the award goes to Smartwings.

"The Prague Airport award is our assurance that we have succeeded during a very trying period for the air transport industry. Many thanks are owed to our employees. The year 2021 was dedicated to resumptions of numerous air connections and increases to flight frequencies. We have tripled the number of passengers who used Smartwings services for their journeys to / from Prague last year. We expect further growth this year. Our goal is to continue to remain the largest air carrier at Václav Havel Airport Prague," Roman Vik, Member of the Board of Directors and CEO of Smartwings, said.

The title of the most efficient carrier in terms of traffic, Best Performing Airline at Prague Airport 2021, factors in the key operational indicators, alongside the volume performance of carriers. Only carriers that completed at least 100 aircraft movements from July to December last year are evaluated. This corresponds to traffic of about two flights per week. For the year 2021, the award goes to Brussels Airlines.

“We are honoured to receive this award, especially in one of the most challenging years for aviation. Prague has remained a strong destination throughout the last two summer seasons and last March we even invested in the route by adding a nightstop flight to the schedule. This brings our weekly rotations to 12 this summer season, offering a large choice for passengers traveling from the Czech Republic to Brussels or connecting via Brussels to our European, American or African network,” says Peter Gerber, CEO of Brussels Airlines

In 2022, performance in two more categories will be evaluated. The green carrier, i.e., Top Sustainable Airline, will comprise three criteria: noise and emissions of aircraft operated at Prague Airport, alongside the overall approach, commitments, and activities of airlines in the field of sustainability. The second added title, Best Airline Marketing Campaign with Prague Airport, will be awarded to the carrier best using the marketing support in cooperation with Prague Airport. The results of all four categories will be announced in 2023.