In 2020, the Prague Airport Group reported a gross operating loss of CZK 687 million. Its economic results were negatively affected the most by the greatest crisis in air transport, the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a decrease in the number of handled passengers by almost 80%. The fact also significantly affected the passenger and aircraft handling services provided by the Czech Airlines Handling subsidiary. The decline in operations and uncertainty in the market affected the aircraft maintenance segment provided by Czech Airlines Technics, too.
The Group thus implemented significant austerity measures last year. The main goal was to ensure the operation and financing of companies, maintain stability, and continue to provide services for passengers, airlines and other customers at the high level as before. Alongside safety, the health of passengers and employees became a priority. Nevertheless, the crisis provided numeral opportunities for all companies associated in the Group to further develop their services, products and infrastructure.
Thanks to the responsible approach in previous years, financial reserves and effective cost management, the financing of individual Group companies was ensured. The Group can obtain external sources of financing mainly due to long-term financial stability and excellent operating and economic results from previous years, alongside a responsible management decision-making approach. The correct steps and strategy, implemented even during the pandemic, have been confirmed by the official rating on creditworthiness by the renowned Moody’s Investors Service agency. Just last year, the agency confirmed the Prague Airport Group’s Aa3 rating with a stable outlook, which reflects a very low credit risk. The international agency decided on the highest possible rating in the Czech Republic predominantly with regard to the strong financial profile of the Group, perceived as resilient even to uncertain operating prospects for the following period of the gradual resumption of operations.
After the past record years, the 2020 gross operating loss (EBITDA) of Prague Airport, the operator of the largest international airport in the Czech Republic, equalled CZK 459 million. Prague Airport remained open as part of the country’s critical infrastructure throughout the pandemic, handling flights with vital medical supplies onboard and important repatriation flights, among other things. In 2020, the airport financed its operations from its own resources and applied for an external loan at the very end of the year. Despite the gradual resumption of flights to dozens of destinations and increasing demand for travel, a little less than 3.7 million passengers were handled at Václav Havel Airport Prague last year, compared to 2019, when the record of almost 18 million people handled in a single year was broken. At present, flights to more than a hundred destinations are offered from Prague, and, with the relaxation of the rules for travel, the interest in flying is growing steadily. It is estimated that the aviation market segment could reach the 2019 volumes in about four to five years.
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