Amid ongoing recovery efforts from the COVID-19 pandemic, Prague’s Václav Havel Airport witnessed a remarkable surge in passenger traffic, serving 13.8 million passengers in 2023. This notable increase reflects a substantial 29% growth compared to the previous year and marks a significant milestone in the airport’s recovery journey. Importantly, the figure represents 78% of the total passengers handled in 2019, pre-pandemic.

Initial estimates at the beginning of last year predicted that the airport would cater to approximately 12.5 million passengers by 2023. However, the actual numbers exceeded expectations by more than 1.3 million passengers, showcasing the airport’s resilience and successful recovery in challenging circumstances.

Throughout the year, Prague’s Václav Havel Airport offered flights to 167 destinations, facilitated by 69 carriers. The airport also added over 30 new or reinstated routes to its portfolio. Notably, the Czech Republic’s overall air traffic demonstrated a 13% increase compared to the previous year, reaching 73% of its pre-pandemic level in 2019.

Jiří Pos, Chairman of the Board of Prague Airport, highlighted that the airport served 190 destinations during the record year of 2019. In 2023, several routes were restored or initiated, including Korean Air’s return to Seoul, South Korea, and the commencement of flights from Prague to Taiwan by China Airlines.

The most popular destinations in 2023 included the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Turkey, and France. The Prague-London route emerged as the most frequently used direct route, catering to 1.1 million passengers. Paris and Milan secured the second and third positions with nearly 700,000 and 545,000 passengers, respectively.

Looking ahead to 2024, Prague’s Václav Havel Airport aims to serve 15.5 million passengers and offer over 170 destinations. The airport has already confirmed the addition of eight new destinations, demonstrating its commitment to growth and adaptability in the evolving post-pandemic landscape.

Article by Prague Forum