The Leos Janacek Ostrava Airport (LLJO) in Mošnov, situated on the Novojičínsko, has witnessed a remarkable surge in both passenger numbers and profitability for the fiscal year 2023. Notably, the airport handled 342,932 passengers, marking a significant 20 percent increase compared to the previous year. Moreover, LLJO reported a substantial uptick in profits, nearly doubling from 4.99 million koruna in 2022 to an estimated 8 million koruna in 2023.

According to LLJO spokesperson Kateřina Pustějovská, the rise in passenger traffic can be attributed to increased flights servicing various destinations. A pivotal contributor was the regular route to Warsaw operated by LOT Polish Airlines, offering convenient connections to a plethora of global destinations with just one transfer. Key connecting flights included routes to Brussels, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Paris, Toronto, New York, and Miami.

Pustějovská further highlighted the contribution of Ryanair’s two-weekly regular route to London, catering to the growing demand for travel from Ostrava. Additionally, charter flights to popular summer destinations saw a notable surge, with a 21 percent increase in passenger numbers. Predominantly sought-after destinations included Egypt, Greece, and Turkey.

Jaromír Radkovský, the general director of Ostrava Airport overseeing LLJO’s operations, expressed satisfaction with the rising interest in flights from Ostrava, underscoring the airport’s positive economic performance for the second consecutive year. Radkovský emphasized the pivotal role of freight transport in LLJO’s operations, contributing significantly to its overall success.

Looking ahead, LLJO has outlined plans for further expansion and innovation to sustain its upward trajectory. The charter season is set to commence in early February with flights to Hurghada and Marsa Alam in Egypt. Additionally, Ryanair is poised to augment its operations at the airport with flights to Malaga, Spain, scheduled to operate twice a week starting in early June. Ondřej Musil, the manager for passenger transport, affirmed LLJO’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and service offerings to meet the evolving needs of travelers.

Article by Prague Forum