Leos Janacek Airport Ostrava, one of the most important regional airports in the Czech Republic, serves as a development hub for the broader area. We discussed its current state, future vision, and the impact of the nearby industrial zone with its CEO Jaromír Radkovský.
Leos Janacek Airport Ostrava is reminiscent of Janáček’s music, known for its uniqueness and originality. What aspects make your airport stand out, and what do you personally view as its most significant achievement in terms of development?
Leoš Janáček was a unique and internationally renowned musician known for his profound knowledge, yet his works are challenging to perform and to listen to. Comparison with such a figure is complex; perhaps the only thing we have in common is our “distinctiveness”, as we say here. We are an airport that thrives against expectations, adopting a can-do attitude and refusing to recognize the phrase “it can’t be done”. We have placed our bets on expanding our cargo operations, enhancing our cargo routes, and, contrary to expectations, increasing our number of tourist destinations. Currently, we operate 4 cargo routes and serve 31 passenger destinations. The development that has been happening at our airport in the last few years is unprecedented in its history. It is true that we differ from larger airports. Our distinction lies in our simplicity and a more personal approach to service, ensuring faster and shorter check-ins and passage for our passengers.
An industrial zone and a logistics centre are being developed near the airport. What benefits does this proximity offer?
Currently, the logistics centre utilises rail and truck transport, and due to the faster nature of air transport, it has not been well integrated with the rail system. However, the presence of nearby warehousing facilities suggests that a logistics provider might soon begin utilising our services. The business cases we are dealing with and developing are going the other way – first of all, we create the air route and then the goods are loaded onto trucks. But I believe that in the future, some way of cooperation will be possible.
Further development and investment are crucial for the ongoing expansion of the airport. What are the future plans of the Moravian-Silesian Region as the owner for this growth?
This is a question for the Moravian-Silesian Region, the owner of the airport. However, it is important to highlight the significant investments made in both the industrial area surrounding the airport and in the airport itself. The airport not only belongs to the Moravian-Silesian Region but also serves as its showcase and main entry point to the entire Ostrava and Moravian-Silesian Region. The Region’s involvement is evident at the airport, where it has contributed to the funding of investment projects, the acquisition of machinery and equipment, and even the construction of the essential cargo terminal that was opened last year.
Thank you for the interview.
