Václav Havel Airport Prague processed 96,481 tonnes of cargo in 2025—a 48 percent jump year-on-year and the highest in its history, the operator revealed in a 19 February 2026 press release. Growth was fuelled by Central Airlines’ new Chengdu route and capacity increases from Qatar Airways Cargo, Turkish Cargo and FedEx, mirroring the boom in Czech e-commerce exports. Imports accounted for 61 percent of volume, rising 83 percent as Asian suppliers shifted shipments from congested maritime lanes to air freight.
Airport management emphasised that robust cargo revenues underpin viability of new long-haul passenger services, including Etihad’s Abu Dhabi route and Air Canada’s reinstated Toronto flights. Multinational firms relying on just-in-time components have welcomed the additional lift, saying it shortens lead times to Central European factories.
Travelers planning journeys through Prague can streamline the paperwork side of their trip by using VisaHQ, which offers up-to-date guidance on Czech entry rules, EES enrolment procedures, and visa options for dozens of nationalities. The company’s Czech Republic portal (https://www.visahq.com/czech-republic/) walks applicants through each step online, helping tourists, business travelers, and even truck drivers hauling air-freight to secure the right documents quickly and avoid last-minute surprises at the airport.
![Prague Airport sets cargo record and flags longer border checks under new EES system]()
At the same time, the airport posted a notice warning non-EU travellers to expect longer queues as the EU’s biometric Entry/Exit System (EES) is phased in. Czech border police are testing automated kiosks, but officers predict that enrolment of fingerprints and facial images could add several minutes per passenger during the learning curve.
Business-travel managers are advised to build extra buffer time into itineraries, especially for connecting flights with minimal layovers. The airport says it will open a dedicated FAQ microsite in March and deploy roving “digital concierges” to help travellers use the kiosks.
Logistics analysts note that cargo terminals are also preparing for EES data-exchange requirements affecting truck drivers from third countries, underscoring how passenger-focused regulations can ripple into freight operations.
Airport management emphasised that robust cargo revenues underpin viability of new long-haul passenger services, including Etihad’s Abu Dhabi route and Air Canada’s reinstated Toronto flights. Multinational firms relying on just-in-time components have welcomed the additional lift, saying it shortens lead times to Central European factories.
Travelers planning journeys through Prague can streamline the paperwork side of their trip by using VisaHQ, which offers up-to-date guidance on Czech entry rules, EES enrolment procedures, and visa options for dozens of nationalities. The company’s Czech Republic portal (https://www.visahq.com/czech-republic/) walks applicants through each step online, helping tourists, business travelers, and even truck drivers hauling air-freight to secure the right documents quickly and avoid last-minute surprises at the airport.
At the same time, the airport posted a notice warning non-EU travellers to expect longer queues as the EU’s biometric Entry/Exit System (EES) is phased in. Czech border police are testing automated kiosks, but officers predict that enrolment of fingerprints and facial images could add several minutes per passenger during the learning curve.
Business-travel managers are advised to build extra buffer time into itineraries, especially for connecting flights with minimal layovers. The airport says it will open a dedicated FAQ microsite in March and deploy roving “digital concierges” to help travellers use the kiosks.
Logistics analysts note that cargo terminals are also preparing for EES data-exchange requirements affecting truck drivers from third countries, underscoring how passenger-focused regulations can ripple into freight operations.
