Václav Havel Airport Expands Long-Haul Routes to U.S.
Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) is focusing on expanding its long-haul connectivity, with ambitions to strengthen links to major markets in the U.S., China, and South Korea, while also targeting underserved regions such as India, Vietnam, and Thailand. Jiri Vyskoc, the airport’s executive director of aviation business development, highlighted the airport’s strategic approach during an interview with Aviation Week. These plans aim to boost Prague’s global connectivity and tap into key international markets.
Vyskoc explained that the airport is employing a variety of strategies to attract airlines to these destinations, including financial incentives and comprehensive marketing support. PRG is also collaborating with local tourism stakeholders to boost inbound passenger traffic. “We are working to enhance our connectivity with long-haul destinations such as New York, Shanghai, and Seoul, while also targeting unserved markets like New Delhi, Hanoi, and Bangkok,” Vyskoc said.
PRG’s growth strategy extends beyond long-haul routes, with plans to enhance connectivity to key European cities, such as Bordeaux, France; Hamburg, Germany; and Zagreb, Croatia. The airport’s focus on both international and regional expansion is part of a broader effort to support the rising demand for air travel to and from Prague.
To attract new airline partners, PRG has rolled out six incentive programs, offering financial support and co-branded marketing campaigns to airlines willing to open new routes. These efforts have already paid off, with the airport adding 58 new routes and partnering with 14 new airlines over the past year alone. The airport has also launched the Prague Airport Cargo Point platform, which aims to strengthen its competitiveness in the air cargo market.
In 2024, PRG has already welcomed several new routes. Hainan Airlines resumed nonstop flights from Beijing, marking a significant post-pandemic recovery for flights between Prague and mainland China. In addition, Eznis Airways launched a service to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, while Egyptair reintroduced flights from Cairo after a 13-year hiatus. Qanot Sharq Airlines also opened a new route from Tashkent, Uzbekistan, further expanding PRG’s network in Central Asia.
Looking ahead, more expansion is planned for 2025. Etihad Airways has confirmed a new route from Abu Dhabi, and Air Canada is introducing a service from Toronto, which will help PRG further strengthen its connections to North America and the Middle East.
As the airport expands its route network, PRG is also investing heavily in infrastructure to accommodate the growing number of passengers. The airport is enhancing passenger services by upgrading terminal facilities, including implementing self-service bag drop and fast-track security systems, to streamline the traveler experience. “We are expanding our terminals and implementing new technologies like self-service bag drop and fast-track security to improve the passenger experience,” Vyskoc noted.
In the medium term, PRG is planning to increase its terminal capacity to accommodate up to 21.2 million passengers annually. This includes the construction of a new parallel runway, which will significantly enhance the airport’s operational capacity. By 2030, the airport aims to offer 200 direct connections, including 37 long-haul routes, and to provide 10,000 new parking spaces. Additionally, the airport is working towards becoming carbon neutral by 2030, aligning its expansion plans with sustainability goals.
PRG’s comprehensive approach to expanding both its network and infrastructure highlights its ambition to become a key player in the global aviation market. With new routes, partnerships, and sustainable infrastructure investments, Václav Havel Airport is well-positioned to meet rising demand and boost its long-haul connectivity.
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