Terminal 2 at Václav Havel Airport Prague Celebrates 20 Years; Over 141 Million Passengers Have Passed Through Its Gates

The construction of what was then the Terminal North 2 began in 2003 as the largest transport construction of its time in the Czech Republic. Three years later, a modern departure hall with a new Pier C, a connecting corridor between the terminals, and an overpass connecting the terminal with the parking building was opened to passengers. An automatic baggage sorting hall was also built, connected to Terminal 1 by an underground tunnel. The sorting hall was state-of-the-art at the time of its opening and still facilitates efficient and safe baggage handling today.

"We wanted to use the anniversary of Terminal 2 primarily as a way of thanking passengers. We have therefore prepared a special program which will allow them to take a look behind the scenes of the airport and remember the story of this exceptional place. On the launch day of operations, i.e., on 17 January, we are organizing special airport tours for the public, including a visit to the automatic baggage sorting hall. Today, we are opening a thematic exhibition in the connecting corridor between the terminals, which maps the history and future of Terminal 2 and which will be on display until the end of February. We will also be handing out thematic gingerbread cookies to passengers in the terminal,” Eva Krejčí, Prague Airport Director of Communications and Marketing, said. 

The main motivation behind the construction of Terminal 2 was the need to increase the airport's capacity and the Czech Republic's joining the Schengen area. This resulted in the need to separate the operation of Schengen and non-Schengen flights in the long term. The new terminal set high standards of comfort, safety, and architecture at that time. Today, Terminal 2 is the heart of Schengen operations at Václav Havel Airport Prague – thousands of passengers heading to European destinations pass through its gates every day. It offers modern technology, a clear operational layout, and architecture which remains a distinctive feature of the airport even after twenty years. 

Among the most significant changes to Terminal 2 over the past 20 years is the relocation of the central security checkpoint in 2018. The original arrangement no longer met capacity requirements, so the checkpoint was relocated and a year ago equipped with state-of-the-art CT X-ray machines, which increase the seamlessness and comfort of screening. Another important change was the opening of the fourth check-in island in 2020, where passengers now use self-check-in counters. 

Prague the most significant changes to Terminal 2 over the past 20 years is the relocation of the central security checkpoint in 2018. The original arrangement no longer met capacity requirements, so the checkpoint was relocated and a year ago equipped with state-of-the-art CT X-ray machines, which increase the seamlessness and comfort of screening. Another important change was the opening of the fourth check-in island in 2020, where passengers now use self-check-in counters. 

Terminal 2 in numbers: 

- In total, 141,344,290 passengers have passed through the terminal gates in the 20 years since its opening.
- On the first day, 3,445 passengers were handled at Terminal 2. 
- The busiest day was 14 September 2025, when 42,571 passengers passed through the terminal gates.
- The record year was last year, 2025, when 10,662,878 passengers passed through the terminal gates.
- The departure hall measures 57 × 130 metres.
- The height of the steel arch trusses reaches up to 24 metres.
- The total built-up area is almost 900,000 m³.
- The total floor area is more than 117,000 m².