Prague expands airport, revamps tram service
Reading Time: 3 minutesPrague has launched two major transport infrastructure projects, expanding Vaclav Havel Airport and introducing a new generation of trams to modernise its urban network.
The initiatives form part of a broader strategy to boost Prague’s competitiveness as a Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) hub for air travel, freight logistics and sustainable urban mobility. Officials aim to future-proof the capital’s transport capacity as demand grows both domestically and regionally, with EU funding opportunities on the table.
New terminal, logistics hub to boost competitiveness
Vaclav Havel Airport Prague has signed a CZK 16bn (EUR 641.1mn) contract to build a new terminal and expand its logistics hub. The project, expected to complete by 2029, will double cargo handling capacity and significantly increase passenger throughput, the airport operator announced.
Passenger numbers at Prague Airport rose to 13.8mn in 2023 and are forecast to exceed 20mn by the early 2030s if infrastructure bottlenecks are addressed. The expansion project is designed to meet these forecasts while integrating new sustainability features, such as electric ground handling fleets and low-emission building designs.
Gov’t backs project with focus on sustainability, EU funding
Prague Airport CEO Vaclav Rehor said: “The expansion of Vaclav Havel Airport Prague is critical to maintaining the competitiveness of our capital and of the Czech Republic as a whole. We are preparing for a future of higher passenger volumes, new technological standards and greater sustainability expectations,” he added.
The Czech government has expressed support for the airport’s strategic role within the EU’s Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), making the project eligible for potential EU co-financing. Prague’s airport upgrade follows a wave of similar initiatives across the region, including Budapest’s planned new terminal and Vienna Airport’s completed SkyLink expansion.
Skoda 52T trams designed for Prague’s historic city centre
Alongside the airport development, Prague’s public transport authority DPP has begun testing the new Skoda ForCity Plus 52T trams across the city’s network. The 52T model, developed by Skoda Transportation, features full low-floor accessibility, six information screens per carriage, improved energy efficiency and enhanced passenger comfort.
Prague Public Transport Authority CEO Petr Witowski said in a press release: “The ForCity Plus 52T trams will bring Prague not only modern technology but also greater comfort for passengers, improved accessibility and reduced energy consumption. This is an important step in renewing our fleet and moving towards a sustainable urban transport system,” he added.
Rigorous testing underway ahead of mid-2025 rollout
Each 52T tram is designed to navigate Prague’s historic streets and tight curves, with a 5-section body mounted on 4 pivoting bogies. The first vehicles are undergoing 40,000km of testing before entry into service by mid-summer.
Skoda Transportation Chairman Martin Bednarz said: “We have designed the 52T specifically for Prague’s demanding historical environment. It combines manoeuvrability with maximum capacity and user comfort.”
Tram modernisation aligns with Prague’s long-term mobility strategy to reduce car traffic, improve network efficiency and lower emissions. The city expects the new fleet to qualify for EU Cohesion Fund support under programmes promoting sustainable urban transport.
Regional competition intensifies among CEE countries
The airport and tram projects come at a time of growing freight and passenger activity across CEE. According to Airports Council International Europe, air cargo volumes in CEE rose 14% in 2024, while passenger numbers are recovering faster than in many Western European markets.
Regional competition remains strong, with Poland and Hungary investing heavily in transport upgrades to consolidate their roles as CEE logistics and travel hubs. Prague’s dual investment in air and urban transport infrastructure is intended to ensure the city remains competitive amid these shifting dynamics.
The Czech government has supported the project as part of a broader national strategy to modernise key transport infrastructure. Funding is expected to come from a combination of airport revenues, bond issuance, and potential future EU support programmes focused on sustainable mobility.
EU Commissioner for Transport Adina Valean told members of the press that “Investments in airports, railways and urban transport are investments in Europe’s economic resilience, environmental sustainability and territorial cohesion.”