Václav Havel Airport Prague began the second—and most disruptive—phase of a week-long crane dismantling project at 06:00 on 22 October 2025. For the next four days the inner curb lane in front of Terminal 1, normally reserved for vehicles with airport permits, is closed while the 40-metre tower crane that served recent façade repairs is taken down panel by panel. All authorised cars are being diverted to the road that is usually reserved for city buses, while public-transport and AirportExpress stops remain temporarily relocated under the Aviatická Street overpass. Ride-hailing partner Uber has likewise been moved to the bus lane.
Airport management says the overnight work that preceded the lane closure went to plan: road II, the arrivals roadway, was completely shut from 20:00 on 21 October until 06:00 on 22 October so that counter-weights and jib sections could be lifted safely. Despite the closure, the first wave of morning departures experienced only minor delays after additional marshals were deployed to direct taxis and charter coaches to temporary stands in car-park PB.
For business travellers, the biggest headache is the relocation of the AirportExpress coach to lane 2 in front of Terminal 1, adding a five-minute walk for passengers connecting to main-line rail services at Prague Main Station. Travel-management companies are advising clients to build in at least 20 extra minutes both inbound and outbound if their itineraries include Terminal 1, which handles all non-Schengen flights. Companies that routinely dispatch drivers to collect VIPs have been asked to register alternative licence-plate numbers to ensure access through the adjusted security filter.
The works coincide with the airport’s push to familiarise travellers with the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) kiosks installed earlier this month, a juxtaposition that has strained way-finding capacity. Airport spokesperson Denisa Hejtmánková said the project could not be postponed because the crane’s rental contract expires in late October and penalties would far exceed the cost of additional traffic marshals.
All lanes are scheduled to reopen at 18:00 on Sunday 26 October, but the airport warns that bad weather or technical complications could prolong the closure. Real-time updates are being posted on the airport’s website and social-media feeds. Travellers with reduced mobility can request escorted transfers between terminals via the airport’s assistance line.
Airport management says the overnight work that preceded the lane closure went to plan: road II, the arrivals roadway, was completely shut from 20:00 on 21 October until 06:00 on 22 October so that counter-weights and jib sections could be lifted safely. Despite the closure, the first wave of morning departures experienced only minor delays after additional marshals were deployed to direct taxis and charter coaches to temporary stands in car-park PB.
For business travellers, the biggest headache is the relocation of the AirportExpress coach to lane 2 in front of Terminal 1, adding a five-minute walk for passengers connecting to main-line rail services at Prague Main Station. Travel-management companies are advising clients to build in at least 20 extra minutes both inbound and outbound if their itineraries include Terminal 1, which handles all non-Schengen flights. Companies that routinely dispatch drivers to collect VIPs have been asked to register alternative licence-plate numbers to ensure access through the adjusted security filter.
The works coincide with the airport’s push to familiarise travellers with the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) kiosks installed earlier this month, a juxtaposition that has strained way-finding capacity. Airport spokesperson Denisa Hejtmánková said the project could not be postponed because the crane’s rental contract expires in late October and penalties would far exceed the cost of additional traffic marshals.
All lanes are scheduled to reopen at 18:00 on Sunday 26 October, but the airport warns that bad weather or technical complications could prolong the closure. Real-time updates are being posted on the airport’s website and social-media feeds. Travellers with reduced mobility can request escorted transfers between terminals via the airport’s assistance line.
