The news in Czech
Letiště Václava Havla v Praze se rozšiřuje . Projekt stojí 33 miliard korun. Postaví se nová parkoviště, zvětší se terminály a přidá se železniční spojení. Kapacita letiště vzroste na 21 milionů cestujících ročně do roku 2033. Projekt má podporu i odpor kvůli hluku a životnímu prostředí.
Translation
Václav Havel Airport in Prague is undergoing an expansion. The project costs 33 billion Czech crowns. New car parks will be built, terminals will be enlarged, and a rail link will be added. The airport's capacity is set to increase to 21 million passengers annually by 2033. The project has both support and opposition due to noise and environmental concerns.
Exercise: Text comprehension
Question 1: What new facilities will be added to Prague Airport as part of the expansion project?
New parking lots, enlarged terminals, and a railway connection will be added.
Question 2: What will be the new capacity of Prague Airport once the expansion is complete?
The new capacity will be 21 million passengers annually by 2033.
Exercise: Vocabulary
rozšiřovat - expand
projekt (m.) - project
kapacita (f.) - capacity
podpora (f.) - support
odpor (m.) - opposition
životní - environmental (in context)
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▌01/03/2025
The Václav Havel Airport in Prague has embarked on a significant expansion and redevelopment project, estimated at 33 billion Czech crowns (approximately 1.2 billion GBP). This vast undertaking includes the construction of new parking facilities, the expansion of both terminals, and a railway connection complete with a train stop. The expansion aims to increase the airport's capacity from 15 million to 21 million passengers annually by 2033.
While airport authorities highlight the necessity of these enhancements to accommodate growing passenger numbers and improve logistics, the initiative has met with substantial opposition from the local communities and environmental groups. These opponents argue that the expansion will lead to increased noise pollution, higher emission levels, and a decline in property values around the airport vicinity. The project has also sparked concerns about potential environmental impacts and alleged developer interests in converting land from the old runway into lucrative real estate.
Among the most contentious elements of the plan is the proposed construction of a parallel runway. Critics, including Senator Jiří Růžička and other public figures, have strongly condemned this aspect, describing it as reckless. They contend that the additional runway serves only commercial interests, further exacerbating existing environmental and noise issues.
Prague Airport Begins Expansion Amid Local Controversy (Illustration)
Public sentiment remains divided. Supporters of the expansion argue that it is crucial for economic development and positioning Prague as a major European transport hub. In contrast, detractors emphasize the need to preserve the local environment and prioritize sustainable development, believing that the existing facilities suffice for current needs. A petition against the expansion has garnered over 1,400 signatures, reflecting significant public dissent.
In response to these concerns, project planners have outlined measures to mitigate noise pollution, including a night-time operational closure of the main runway and an adjustment in flight patterns to minimize disruption over populated areas. Despite these reassurances, opposition from municipalities and environmental activists remains steadfast.
The city's leadership and relevant stakeholders continue to negotiate the project's future, balancing the growth ambitions of the airport with the environmental and social considerations raised by those impacted. As the development progresses, it remains to be seen how these competing pressures will influence the project's outcome and broader implications for Prague's urban landscape.
Info: 'Czech Learner News' is a service from 'Let's Learn Czech', a language school dedicated to teaching the Czech language. We offer various types of online courses, including Czech for beginners.
