After last year’s challenges, including long queues, delayed flights, and luggage handling issues, Prague’s Václav Havel Airport has significantly strengthened its workforce ahead of this summer. The airport has welcomed more than 200 new employees and over 100 temporary workers following an extensive recruitment campaign.

This summer, Prague Airport expects to handle more than 3.8 million passengers, an 8% increase compared to last year. Final preparations are currently underway, including road repairs in the parking lot outside Terminal 1, scheduled for completion by the end of June.

Emma, a student and part-time security control worker, starts her day early, arriving before 6 a.m. “We always sit at the monitor for 15 minutes, then switch with colleagues to maintain focus,” she explains. Emma is one of 344 new workers, of whom 210 are full-time.

Oliver, another new employee, joined due to his passion for aviation. “The opportunity to work here came up, and I took it,” he said. Training for these roles lasts several months, emphasizing strong character, a high school education, and language skills.

According to airport officials, handling luggage has also improved significantly. Czech Airlines Handling has hired 148 new employees since January to tackle luggage operations efficiently.

Martin Kučera, a Prague Airport board member, recommends passengers arrive at least 2.5 hours before departure to ensure a stress-free check-in experience, especially for long-haul flights requiring passport control. “Passengers should check the airline’s gate closure times beforehand to plan their trip accordingly,” Kučera advises.

Prague Airport has expanded its self-service check-in facilities, with 31 kiosks available in Terminals 1 and 2. These kiosks allow passengers to print boarding passes for flights operated by 16 airlines. Additionally, 20 self-service counters are available for baggage check-in, supported by 12 airlines. The popularity of these services is rising, with self-checked baggage increasing from 3.1% last year to 4.7% in the first quarter of this year.

With these improvements, Prague Airport aims to offer a smoother and more comfortable experience for all travelers this summer.