Václav Havel Airport Prague Operations Continue to Grow; Increased Passenger Numbers and Operated Destinations

The growth in the number of handled passengers is owed to the resumption of flights to dozens of destinations, a rise in demand for flying, mostly to holiday destinations, the gradual relaxation of travel conditions and the increasing immunisation of the population. Prague Airport expects to see further boost in traffic in June 2021 and during the following holiday months, when other direct connections will be resumed and other new routes launched. Passengers should continue to check their final destinations relevant conditions of entry and review all current check-in rules before the upcoming summer holiday period, too.

"The demand of Czechs for travel is increasing thanks to the ongoing vaccinations of people belonging to more age groups and the continued simplifications in the conditions for travel, as well as the planned introduction of Covid passports.  Air carriers are promptly reacting to the growing interest in travel and resuming their operations. We also welcome the option of incoming tourism revival and believe foreign tourists will decide to visit Prague during the summer months," Jaroslav Filip, Director of Prague Airport Aviation Business, said.

In May 2021, the greatest number of passengers flew to Hurghada, Amsterdam and Marsa Alam. Additional popular destinations included Dubai and Frankfurt, alongside Moscow, Malaga, Tenerife and Barcelona. In terms of countries, the destination most popular with passengers was Egypt.

Comparisons of Handled Passengers per Selected Holiday Destinations (April vs May 2021):

Barcelona                                +1,046%
Hurghada                                +    38%
Lisbon                                      +  163%
Malaga                                     +   36%
Marsa Alam                             +   42%
Palma de Mallorca                  +    41%

A total of 3,257 take-offs and landings (i.e. movements) were performed at Václav Havel Airport Prague in May 2021, representing an over 127% increase compared to May 2020. These statistics include regular, charter, private and cargo flights combined.  

Destinations Currently Available from Prague

Passengers can now fly from Václav Havel Airport Prague to more than 90 destinations, including charter flights. Flights headed predominantly to popular holiday destinations in Europe, such as Croatia, Greece, Malta, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Spain and Italy, but also to Egypt, are operated by over 30 airlines. Prague is also connected by direct long-haul flights with the popular destinations of Dubai and Doha, Qatar. These connections can also be used by passengers for transfers to other final destinations. Passengers from Prague can also fly to distant exotic destinations directly thanks to holiday packages offered by the Čedok travel agency. During the 2021 summer season, other direct connections will be resumed, and several new routes launched.

Prague Airport has prepared a special website for passengers with current overview of available connections from Prague, including important travel information and additional interesting facts. They can also use a ready-made traveller’s checklist summarising things to be done before a trip step by step.

Pre-flight Recommendations

It remains recommended to passengers with scheduled flights to review all currently valid conditions for travel before the trip. This includes both the conditions implemented in their final destination and the measures governing their return to the Czech Republic.

During check-in, passengers are to present:

• A completed Country Entry Form, if required by their final destination
• A printed Covid-19 negative test result, vaccination certificate or Covid-19 recovery confirmation (subject to specific respective country requirements)
• A valid travel document (national ID or passport)

Throughout the 2021 summer season, passengers should be arriving at the airport allowing enough time, i.e., at least three hours prior to the scheduled departure of their flight.

Passengers should also be aware of all applicable measures aboard their airline-operated aircraft as well as measures implemented at Prague Airport. In line with these measures, we strongly appeal to travellers to:

• Mandatorily wear FFP2 respirators or alternative when inside the airport
• Maintain a safe distance from other travellers
• Pay increased attention to hand hygiene and use hand sanitizers regularly