Three Bidders For Prague Airport Rail Connection Ppp Project

Three international consortia led by Vinci Railways, Gülermak Invest, and Strabag Motorway are the three bidders that have expressed interest interest for the Prague Airport rail connection public-private partnership (PPP) project.

These proposals have been submitted as part of Czechia’s first-ever PPP rail initiative, which concerns the selection of a concessionaire to design, build, finance, and maintain the planned railway connection. The project represents a significant step forward in the modernisation and expansion of the national rail network, with a particular focus on improving access to Václav Havel Airport Prague.

Správa železnic, the Czech national railway infrastructure manager, will now evaluate whether each of the bidders has met the necessary qualification criteria. Once this initial phase is completed, the competitive dialogue phase will commence. This phase is designed to allow the authority and the qualified bidders to discuss the project in more detail, enabling the preparation of final, optimised offers. Following these discussions, Správa železnic will select the most suitable partner to deliver and maintain the new infrastructure.

The strong interest shown by international bidders is seen as a positive signal by Správa železnic. It confirms the strategic importance of the airport rail link not only for Prague but also for the future of railway transport across the Czech Republic. In light of the challenging global economic environment, where international investment is often marked by heightened levels of uncertainty, the willingness of major global players to engage in this project is especially encouraging.

The planned project will include the reconstruction of existing railway lines and the construction of new double-track sections. Specifically, this includes the development of a double-track section between Praha-Veleslavín and Praha-Ruzyně stations, as well as a brand-new double-track extension leading directly to the Václav Havel Airport Prague railway station. This new station will also be constructed as part of the project. Additionally, a railway bypass will be built, creating a connecting link between the airport and the main Prague–Kladno railway line.

While the selected concessionaire will be responsible for the construction and maintenance of the infrastructure over a 25-year concession period, traffic control and dispatching responsibilities will remain with Správa železnic. Operations will be managed from the Central Dispatch Office located in Prague at Balabenka, ensuring consistent national oversight of rail traffic.

The project forms a central component of the wider modernisation of the Prague–Kladno railway corridor. As part of this initiative, the line will be fully electrified and upgraded with the European Train Control System (ETCS), a state-of-the-art signalling and control solution. Furthermore, all level crossings along the route will be eliminated in order to enhance safety and improve operational efficiency.

The estimated total cost of the project is approximately EUR 1.65 billion. Of this, the European Investment Bank (EIB) is considering a proposed financing package worth EUR 700 million. The remaining funding will be provided through a mix of public investment and private capital from the selected concessionaire.

In total, the modernisation and construction work will span almost 40 kilometres of railway. The timeline for delivery anticipates that construction will begin in 2025 and continue through to 2029. Once completed, the project is expected to offer significant improvements in connectivity and travel times. The journey from Prague city centre to the airport will be reduced to just 25 minutes, while the trip to the city of Kladno will take approximately 30 minutes.

This rail connection to Prague Airport marks a historic milestone, as it is the first railway project in the Czech Republic to be developed under a PPP model. Its principal objective is to secure a private sector partner not only to construct the railway infrastructure but also to maintain it efficiently over a long-term period. By doing so, the Czech Republic aims to deliver a modern, high-capacity rail link that meets international standards and serves both residents and visitors for decades to come.