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Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is served by Václav Havel Airport Prague, formerly Prague Ruzyně International Airport. The airport is located 12km west of the city centre and is ranked as the best airport in the country. It is equipped with VIP lounges, currency exchange, free Wi-Fi, and other facilities for easy use by visitors from around the world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Václav Havel Airport Prague |
| Airport Code | PRG |
| Location | The airport is located 10 km west of Prague city center, in the district of Ruzyně. |
| Terminals | 2 (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2) |
| Runway(s) | 2 (Runway 06/24 and Runway 12/30) |
| Elevation | 1,247 feet (380 meters) |
| Area | 1,343 acres (543 hectares) |
| Passenger Traffic | 17.8 million passengers (2019) |
| Airlines | Serves as a hub for Czech Airlines, Smartwings, and Ryanair. Other airlines operating at the airport include EasyJet, Wizz Air, and many more. |
| Destinations | Offers flights to/from numerous European cities, as well as long-haul destinations such as New York, Dubai, and Seoul. |
| Facilities | The airport has a variety of shops, restaurants, and duty-free outlets. Other facilities include VIP lounges, prayer rooms, and children's play areas. |
| Transportation | The airport is accessible by car, taxi, and public transport. The Airport Express (Bus AE) provides a direct connection to the city center, and there is also a bus and taxi service. |
| Awards | Won the Skytrax World's Most Punctual Airport award in 2018 and has consistently been ranked among the best airports in Eastern Europe. |
| Website | https://www.prg.aero/en |
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What You'll Learn
- Václav Havel Airport Prague is the international airport of Prague
- It was founded in 1937, replacing Kbely Airport
- The airport was renamed in 2012 after the former president Václav Havel
- It is located 12 km (7 mi) west of Prague's city centre
- The airport has won awards for its architecture and technical conception
Václav Havel Airport Prague is the international airport of Prague
The airport has a rich history and has undergone several name changes. It was originally known as Prague Ruzyně International Airport and later as Prague–Ruzyně Airport. In 2012, it was renamed Václav Havel Airport Prague to honour the last president of Czechoslovakia and the first president of the Czech Republic, Václav Havel. This name change was supported by over 65,000 signatories, both within and outside the Czech Republic, who responded to a petition organised by Slovak film director Fero Fenič.
Václav Havel Airport Prague has been recognised for its architectural design, receiving a Diploma and Gold Medal in 1937 at the International Art and Technical Exhibition in Paris. The award specifically acknowledged the technical conception of the central airport and the architecture of the check-in building, now known as Terminal 4, designed by architect Adolf Benš. The airport has since undergone multiple reconstructions and extensions to accommodate increasing capacity demands.
The airport offers a range of facilities and amenities for travellers, including VIP lounges, currency exchange centres, reading rooms, free Wi-Fi, and metro services. It serves as a hub for airlines such as Smartwings and as an operating base for Ryanair and Eurowings. In 2018, the airport served approximately 17 million passengers, and it continues to be a significant gateway for international flights to and from Prague.
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It was founded in 1937, replacing Kbely Airport
Prague's Václav Havel Airport, formerly Prague Ruzyně International Airport, is the Czech Republic's primary airport. It was founded in 1937, replacing Kbely Airport, which had become insufficient to meet the city's aviation demands.
The airport's history dates back to 1929 when the Czechoslovak government proposed the construction of a new airport. Construction began in July 1932, employing minimal machinery to help curb unemployment during the economic crisis. The airport was completed in March 1937 and was immediately recognised as one of the largest airports in Europe. Its modern and timeless terminal served as a model for other airports across the continent. The first aircraft to land at the airport was a Douglas DC-2, arriving from the Piešťany – Zlín – Brno – Prague route.
The airport has undergone several reconstructions and extensions over the years, including significant developments in 1956, 1968, 1997, and 2006. The opening of the North Terminal in 1968 was a notable milestone, with most flights shifting to this new location. The airport has played a role in political events, notably when it was seized by Soviet paratroopers in 1968 during the "Prague Spring" protests. It was also occupied by the German army during World War II, with the Nazi army using its hangars for military aircraft repairs and pilot training.
In 2012, the airport was renamed Václav Havel Airport after the last president of Czechoslovakia and the first president of the Czech Republic. The airport has continued to expand and modernise to accommodate growing passenger numbers and remains a vital gateway to Prague and the Czech Republic.
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The airport was renamed in 2012 after the former president Václav Havel
The airport in Prague is known as Václav Havel Airport Prague, and it bears a significant connection to the country's history and a revered figure in Czech politics and culture. The airport, which serves as the main international gateway to the Czech Republic, was renamed in honour of former president Václav Havel in 2012, an act that carried great symbolic value for the nation. Havel was a prominent dissident during the Communist era, a playwright, and a key figure in the Velvet Revolution of 1989, which led to the end of Communist rule in what was then Czechoslovakia. His influence on the country's path towards democracy and his enduring legacy as a symbol of freedom and human rights make him a highly respected figure both in the Czech Republic and internationally.
The decision to rename the airport in Havel's honour was made by the Czech Parliament in 2012, two years after a proposal was first put forward. The move was supported by a significant majority, with 165 members of parliament voting in favour of the change. The renaming ceremony took place on October 5, 2012, and was a solemn and emotional event, attended by a host of dignitaries, including then-Prime Minister Petr Nečas and Havel's widow, Dagmar Havlová. The ceremony included a minute of silence to honour Havel's memory and a performance of the Czech national anthem.
Václav Havel himself had a complex and profound relationship with the concept of freedom, which was a central theme in his plays and writings. As a dissident during the Communist era, he endured imprisonment and persecution for his beliefs, and his unwavering commitment to freedom of expression and human rights inspired many both within Czechoslovakia and internationally. His plays often explored the theme of individual freedom and the struggle against oppressive regimes, and his essays and speeches continued to advocate for these values during his time as president.
The impact of Havel's life and work extended far beyond the borders of the Czech Republic. He was a globally recognized intellectual and a leading voice in the promotion of human rights and democratic values. Havel received numerous honours and awards during his lifetime, including the US Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1994 and the Philippe Roth Prize in 2009 for his contribution to the promotion of human rights. In 2012, the year the airport was renamed, Havel was also posthumously awarded the EU's prestigious Charlemagne Prize, which recognizes individuals who have contributed to the unification of Europe.
The renaming of the airport serves as a constant reminder of Havel's enduring legacy and the values he embodied. It is a tribute not only to his role in the country's history but also to his unwavering commitment to freedom and democracy. For visitors to the Czech Republic, the name Václav Havel Airport Prague provides an introduction to this significant figure and offers a glimpse into the country's rich and complex history. The airport itself has become a site that carries not just logistical importance but also a deep cultural and symbolic significance.
The story of Václav Havel Airport Prague's renaming is thus intertwined with the story of a nation's struggle for freedom and democracy. It stands as a testament to the power of individual courage and the enduring impact of those who dedicate their lives to the betterment of society. Havel's name gracing the airport ensures that his memory is kept alive, and that those passing through its gates are reminded of the values that underpin the Czech Republic's modern identity.
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It is located 12 km (7 mi) west of Prague's city centre
Prague's airport, Václav Havel Airport Prague, is located 12 km (7 mi) west of the city centre. It is situated at the edge of the Prague-Ruzyně area, next to Kněževes village. The airport was founded in 1937, replacing the Kbely Airport, and has been reconstructed and extended several times since then. It was renamed in 2012 after the last president of Czechoslovakia and the first president of the Czech Republic, Václav Havel.
The airport is easily accessible from the city centre, and there are plans to construct a railway connection between the two. Václav Havel Airport Prague is ranked as the best airport in the Czech Republic. It offers a range of facilities, including free Wi-Fi, VIP lounges, metro services, currency exchange, reading rooms, and more. The airport served around 17 million passengers in 2018 and is a hub for several airlines, including Smartwings and Ryanair.
The airport has a rich history and played a significant role in the invasion of Czechoslovakia by Soviet forces in 1968. It was seized by Soviet paratroopers, who then facilitated the landing of additional Soviet troops and transports. This eventful night marked one of the most dramatic moments in the airport's existence.
Václav Havel Airport Prague is not just a transportation hub but also an award-winning architectural landmark. In 1937, the airport received the Diploma and Gold Medal at the International Art and Technical Exhibition in Paris for the technical conception of its central airport design, particularly the architecture of the check-in building (now known as Terminal 4). The airport's design has been recognised and celebrated internationally for its innovation and aesthetics.
The airport continues to expand and develop to meet the increasing demand for capacity. An expansion of the existing terminals is scheduled to begin construction in 2027 or 2028, with plans to add a new concourse, accommodate additional flights, and modify existing concourses to enhance efficiency and passenger experience.
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The airport has won awards for its architecture and technical conception
Prague's airport, Václav Havel Airport Prague, has a rich history and has undergone several name changes and extensions since its opening in 1937. The airport replaced the Kbely Airport, which had served as the city's principal airport since 1918.
Václav Havel Airport Prague has won awards for its architecture and technical design. In 1937, the airport received the Diploma and Gold Medal at the International Art and Technical Exhibition in Paris (also known as the Paris 1937 World's Fair). The award specifically recognised the technical conception of the airport, including the architecture of the check-in building, now known as Terminal 4, designed by architect Adolf Benš.
The airport has been reconstructed and extended multiple times since its opening. It underwent significant renovations in 1956, 1968, 1997, and 2006. In 2012, the airport was renamed after the last president of Czechoslovakia and the first president of the Czech Republic, Václav Havel. The main runway was reconstructed from 2012 to 2013 due to poor technical conditions.
The airport continues to undergo enhancements to accommodate increasing capacity demands. An expansion of the existing terminals is scheduled to begin construction in 2027 or 2028, with plans to build a new concourse to expand Terminal 2. The project is expected to be completed by 2033. Additionally, there are plans to construct a railway connection between the airport and Prague's city centre.
Today, Václav Havel Airport Prague is ranked as the best airport in the Czech Republic. It offers a range of facilities, including free Wi-Fi, VIP lounges, metro services, currency exchange centres, reading rooms, and more. The airport serves as a hub for several airlines, including Smartwings, Ryanair, and Eurowings.
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Frequently asked questions
The name of the airport in Prague is Václav Havel Airport Prague.
The airport is located at the edge of the Prague-Ruzyně area, next to Kněževes village, 12 km (7 mi) west of the centre of Prague and 12 km (7 mi) southeast of the city of Kladno.
The airport is equipped with VIP lounges, a currency exchange centre, reading rooms, free Wi-Fi, metro services, and more.
54 airlines operate from the airport, serving flights to and from 94 destinations.
