Prague Airport to Lay Off 20% of its Workforce

By the end of the year, Vaclav Havel Prague Airport will lay off a fifth of its employees. In spring, 450 jobs have already been cut, another 150 people will be laid off by 2020.

“Despite all efforts, Prague Airport is unfortunately forced to eliminate some jobs. By the end of 2020, about 150 positions will be cut, mainly operational and administrative positions,” said Prague Airport spokeswoman Kateřina Pavlíková.

The airport employs around 2,900 people. Last year, the airport handled a record 17.8 million passengers. However, due to the pandemic, the airport will not come close to that this year.

The airport forecasts it will handle ten million passengers next year, and passenger volumes should return to normal levels within three years.

Despite the current situation, the airport has not canceled its expansion plans, which include adding on to the second terminal and the construction of a new parallel runway.

The crisis had the greatest impact in April when the airport handled only 5,031 people, 99.6% less compared to 2019.

The largest number of passengers used regular direct service to the United Kingdom, Italy, Russia and Spain, and based on the operating results, fifth place was taken over by France.

London confirmed its position as the busiest destination in 2019, followed by Paris, Moscow, Amsterdam and Frankfurt.

In Q2 2020, the total number of guests in Czech hotels and hostels decreased by 82.9% year-on-year, while the number of overnight stays decreased by 81.7%.