Václav Havel Airport handled a record 17.8 million passengers last year. Due to the coronavirus crisis, passengers and revenue can be expected to be very successful this year.

The company’s net profit last year exceeded the original management plan by about sixteen percent. Growing traffic, the opening of new routes and higher revenues from non-aviation activities contributed to the results according to the benefit. During the main summer season, 162 flights of the world were flown from the airport last year, when 14 new destinations arrived. Traffic increased in the winter.

The report did not provide exact results in non-aviation services, which include revenues from parking, operation and rental of commercial zones and premium services. However, they account for about a third of revenue. Their growth last year was mainly supported by the expansion of the commercial zone at the terminal, where six new shops and restaurants opened at the beginning of the year. According to the airport, there was also greater interest in renting space and using restaurants and lounges.

It originally expected further growth this year, but stopped the coronavirus crisis. In April, the airport handled 5,031 passengers, a percentage of 99.6 percent. Traffic has been picking up slightly since May, but will probably return to pre-crisis levels in a few years. There are currently twelve scheduled flights at the airport, with more to come in the coming weeks.

Due to the growing traffic, the airport found itself on the verge of its capacity last year. It has therefore planned around 200 capacity expansion projects for this year. The largest of them is the reconstruction of the baggage sorting room. At the same time, last year the airport presented plans to expand the second terminal by 2028 for sixteen billion crowns. Another project discovered is the construction of parallel runways, which should begin in 2025. Despite the current crisis, the airport has not yet given up on these large projects.

server Zdopravy.cz on Monday, it announced that Prague Airport had bought land from the state for 1.59 billion crowns. At the same time, they did not have to borrow to buy 42.5 hectares of land in the immediate vicinity of the airport. These are plots that the airport already uses to ensure its operation.