This January, Prague Airport is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Terminal 2’s opening. This terminal has significantly changed how people travel from Prague and symbolizes the Czech Republic’s integration into Europe following its accession to the Schengen area. To honor this milestone, Prague Airport has planned a special exhibition and a variety of events for travelers and the public. Since it opened, over 141 million passengers have used the terminal. Soon, the terminal will also be receiving major renovations to enhance its facilities.

The construction of what was then known as Terminal North 2 began in 2003, making it the largest transport project in the Czech Republic at that time. Three years later, a new departure hall alongside a modern Pier C, a connecting corridor between terminals, and an overpass to the parking area were all opened for passenger use. An automatic baggage sorting area was also built, linked to Terminal 1 via an underground tunnel. When it first opened, this sorting hall was cutting-edge technology and it continues to efficiently manage baggage handling to this day.

“We aim to use this anniversary as an opportunity to express our gratitude to passengers. We’ve prepared a special program that allows them to explore behind the scenes of the airport and reflect on the remarkable history of this terminal. On the day we officially launched operations, January 17, we will offer unique airport tours for the public, which will include a visit to the automatic baggage sorting area. Today, we are inaugurating a themed exhibition in the corridor connecting the terminals that showcases the past and future of Terminal 2; this exhibition will remain on display until the end of February. Additionally, we will distribute themed gingerbread cookies to passengers in the terminal,” stated Eva Krejčí, Prague Airport’s Director of Communications and Marketing.

The primary reason for constructing Terminal 2 was to expand the airport’s capacity in response to the Czech Republic joining the Schengen area. This necessitated a long-term plan to separate Schengen and non-Schengen flight operations. At the time of its opening, the new terminal set high benchmarks for comfort, safety, and architectural design. Today, Terminal 2 serves as the core of Schengen operations at Václav Havel Airport Prague, with thousands of travelers heading to various European destinations passing through its gates daily. The terminal features modern technology, an efficient operational layout, and architectural design that still stands out two decades later.

Over the last 20 years, one of the most significant updates to Terminal 2 was the relocation of the central security checkpoint in 2018. The previous setup couldn’t accommodate the growing number of travelers, leading to the decision to move the checkpoint. Recently, it was fitted with advanced CT X-ray machines, enhancing the efficiency and convenience of security screenings. Another notable change occurred in 2020 with the introduction of a fourth check-in area, which now allows passengers to use self-check-in kiosks.

Terminal 2 in numbers:

– A total of 141,344,290 passengers have traveled through the terminal since it opened 20 years ago.
– On its opening day, 3,445 passengers were processed at Terminal 2.
– The busiest single day occurred on September 14, 2025, with 42,571 passengers.
– The highest number of passengers in a year was in 2025, with 10,662,878 individuals using the terminal.
– The departure hall is 57 × 130 meters in size.
– The steel arch trusses reach a height of 24 meters.
– The total constructed volume of the terminal is nearly 900,000 m³.
– The total area of the floors exceeds 117,000 m².