How Prague Airport's new boarding system is causing chaos for some passengers

Prague Airport has recently installed new pre-boarding sections at some gates to speed up passenger boarding, a move driven by low-cost airlines' operational demands. However, the new system has caused discomfort and anger for some passengers, with some even missing their flights. 

Airport spokesperson Denisa Hejtmánková tells transport-news site Zdopravy.cz that the pre-boarding sections—designed like enclosures—aim to streamline the boarding process by completing passengers’ documents, tickets, and baggage checks in advance. This ensures that passengers can board without unnecessary delays, and lets people enter the plane before others.

Currently, four gates at Václav Havel Airport Prague are equipped with these designated areas, which are used by low-cost airlines such as Ryanair, Wizz Air, and EasyJet.

The spokesperson said that the pre-boarding areas were introduced “to better meet their [budget airlines’] operating model, which is based on fast check-in times between the plane’s arrival and subsequent departure.” This, she says, simply cannot be achieved without the pre-boarding enclosures.

Despite the intended efficiency, several passengers have reported problems. Zdopravy reports one passenger recounting an incident where he and several others were denied boarding the plane due to the new pre-boarding penns. They subsequently missed their flight.

“After arriving at the gate, we were unable to enter the pre-boarding area due to overcrowding,” they said. Other complaints included a lack of seating, screens, and toilet facilities inside the enclosures.

A particularly alarming concern was raised regarding baggage handling. According to reports, some passengers who were unable to board still had their checked luggage flown without them—a violation of standard aviation security regulations.

Responding to the backlash, Hejtmánková emphasized that the airport is not responsible for individual airline boarding procedures. “We regret that some passengers were denied entry to the pre-boarding area before boarding had even begun. However, this was caused by airline-specific procedures, not the airport itself. 

She advises affected passengers to complain to the airline in question rather than the airport. According to her, people need to familiarize themselves with the procedures of the given airline before purchasing a ticket.

Prague Airport says that similar systems are in place in several Western airports, such as Helsinki.