Benefits

The prime benefit of the parallel runway is that it will enable further growth of civil aviation in the Czech Republic and bring it at least to the level standard in similarly developed European countries such as Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Norway or Finland. Proximity and easy access to the airport are major decision making factors for foreign investors namely involved in industries with the highest added value and above average income. The importance of air transport has also been growing in regards to cargo transport, namely of goods of low weight and high value.

It will significantly increase the runway system capacity. At peak times, the current runway system is virtually operating at its maximum capacity. Aircraft are thus often kept waiting in the air for the runway clearance which has a negative impact on the environment. As a result of the construction of the parallel runway, the new system will fully meet the ever-growing capacity needs even in the long-term horizon.

 The airport impact on the travel industry cannot be omitted. It is important to realise that the travel industry does not only embody journeys of Czech citizens abroad but also includes the travels of foreign tourists to the Czech Republic. In the travel industry, an airport generates demand. Each tourist arriving at Ruzyne airport has to find a place to stay and eat; he or she will visit several landmarks of the country and purchase a few gifts or souvenirs. All these activities fuel the GDP and help create jobs for Czech citizens.

The new runway construction will also positively influence more than 200,000 inhabitants of the parts of Prague and its surroundings that currently lie under the air corridor of the presently used side runway RWY 13/31. The runway is, owing to the times of its original construction when aircraft strictly had to take-off and land against the wind, situated so that it faces urban areas. From this point of view, the parallel runway system that is designed to be positioned perpendicularly to Prague and Kladno will be more beneficial despite its increased capacity.

Estimates indicate that the parallel runway project will help create about 17,000 jobs by 2020 and decrease unemployment by 0.3 percent point. The majority of the newly created jobs will be in the Central Bohemian region – about 5,900. Prague will benefit by 4,200 new jobs and the remaining will be shared by other regions of the Czech Republic. In the year 2020 alone, public budgets will save about 2 billion CZK on unemployment allowances thanks to the newly created job opportunities.

Between the years 2012-2020, the parallel runway will increase the Czech GDP by more than 126 billion CZK. In 2020 alone, owing to the new runway, Czech GDP will be higher by 0.47 percent point which in absolute numbers represents 32 billion CZK. Public budgets closely linked with taxation in the form of VAT, income tax and social security and medical allowances will incur by 2020 an additional 56 billion CZK.