Prague’s Václav Havel Airport is set to undergo a major infrastructure upgrade, with its main runway closing for 4.5 months starting March 31. This significant renovation project will force air traffic to utilize the secondary runway, resulting in flights over densely populated areas of Prague, Kladno, and surrounding Central Bohemian regions.
The comprehensive maintenance program encompasses fifteen construction and technological projects, focusing primarily on taxiway repairs and sewer system reconstruction. Airport officials emphasize that these works near the main runway make it impossible to maintain regular flight operations.
Eva Krejčí, the airport’s Communications and Marketing Director, explains that the timing was strategically chosen for a period with minimal fog occurrence, as the secondary runway lacks equipment for low-visibility operations. While the main runway itself won’t undergo renovation, having been fully reconstructed in 2012-2013, the surrounding infrastructure work is expected to continue into 2026.
Looking ahead, the airport has ambitious plans for a parallel runway, a project originally conceived in the 1960s. After receiving positive environmental impact assessments and navigating legal challenges, construction is anticipated to begin after 2030.
The expansion plans have sparked debate among local authorities. While Prague 6 Mayor Jakub Stárek (ODS) supports expediting the parallel runway construction to prevent future disruptions, leaders from Suchdol and Nebušice continue to oppose the project