Prague Airport Re-opens Viewing Deck for Spotters Near Kněževes

The Kněževes viewing deck was a popular place for aircraft spotting, where photographers and aviation enthusiasts, alongside tourists and families with children, would gather. Due to the gradual increase in traffic, Prague Airport must continue to enhance its capacity and perform connected structural modifications. Long-term airport development strategy views the construction of the new aviation fuel pipeline and a cistern depot as one of the steps in the set direction. Therefore, the Kněževes viewing deck had to give way to the emerging pipeline.

Almost nine months after the original deck’s closure, a new viewing deck was built near the original plateau. Formed with 735m³ of soil, it is 4.5 metres high (the original deck comprised 465m³ of soil) and can be reached by visitors via an unpaved gravel path from the adjacent road.

“The reopening of the deck is undoubtedly positive news for both aviation enthusiasts and families with children, who are among its frequent visitors. In the future, we plan to improve the children’s playing facilities to provide young visitors with additional entertainment while watching the aircraft. This step is in line with the airport’s long-term strategy of continued search for further improvements to the services provided. Aviation is an attractive field and many people are still amazed by the sight of aircraft at take-off or landing,” said Jiří Kraus, Vice-Chairman of the Prague Airport Board of Directors, responsible for airport relations with its immediate surrounding alongside other things.

Long-term, Prague Airport is attempting to offer aviation enthusiasts a number of options for watching various aircraft at take-off and landing from up close. Alongside the Kněževes viewing deck, there is also a secondary viewing deck located in the Hostivice municipality. In addition, spotters, i.e. aircraft photographers, can use special holes in the airport fencing and there are viewing terraces in both airport Terminals available to all airport visitors. If people wish to see aircraft and airport machinery in detail, they can attend popular airport tours organised by Prague Airport. The tours include visits to the most interesting parts of the airport which are commonly not accessible to the general public.