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Summary for: Czech airport to come under military control, but civilian flights will continueKarlovy Vary Airport is expected to transfer to Czech state ownership on Jan. 1, 2027, under an agreement signed by regional officials and the Ministry of Defense on Tuesday.
The airport will be operated by state-owned company LOM Praha and used for both civilian aviation and military training. Despite the change, it will retain its status as an international civilian airport, meaning passenger flights can continue.
The agreement, reported by Czech Radio, still requires final government approval.
What will change for passengers?
For travelers, the immediate impact should be limited. Existing civilian operations will remain, while the airport could eventually offer more international connections.
The Defense Ministry has committed to modernizing the airport, including extending and widening its runway at an estimated cost of CZK 2 billion before VAT.
In an interview published Thursday, LOM Praha director Jiří Protiva said the improvements could allow the airport to handle a greater number of civilian flights.
The airport currently handles fewer than 20,000 passengers annually, compared with approximately 100,000 in previous years. Its traffic declined significantly following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the loss of routes serving Russian travelers.
Military training and emergency services
Alongside commercial flights, the airport could be used to train military and civilian pilots. The agreement also provides for an air rescue service, expected to begin operating there in 2029.
The state will take over infrastructure and airport operations, while the Karlovy Vary Region will remain responsible for attracting new commercial airline connections.
For international residents and travelers in western Czechia, the transfer could eventually mean better air connections, although no new scheduled routes have been confirmed.
