GSE buyer: Prague Airport
Posted Date: 27/06/2009
Issue: Airside International July 2009
Publication: Airside International
Letiste Praha – or Prague Airport – is a joint stock company that was founded in February 2008 as part of the privatisation of the state enterprise in accordance with the Government of the Czech Republic’s strategy. But the acquisition of GSE is ongoing at this regional hub airport. Airside International (AI) speaks to Jiri Pos (JP), Senior Executive Director for Aviation Business, Operation and Properties Management and a Member of the Board of Directors of Prague Airport
Letiste Praha – or Prague Airport – is a joint stock company that was founded in February 2008 as part of the privatisation of the state enterprise in accordance with the Government of the Czech Republic’s strategy. But the acquisition of GSE is ongoing at this regional hub airport. Airside International (AI) speaks to Jiri Pos (JP), Senior Executive Director for Aviation Business, Operation and Properties Management and a Member of the Board of Directors of Prague Airport
At the time of Prague Airport’s privatisation, almost all airport assets were transferred to the new airport entity and Prague Airport assumed all rights and duties of the state enterprise, as well as its employees, business approvals, certificates and licenses. The sole shareholder of the joint stock company became the Czech Republic represented by the Ministry of Finance.
Prague Airport has – over the last couple of decades – become increasingly important as a transit hub. Despite the downturn, long-term growth has been fuelled by the Czech Republic’s accession to the European Union in 2004 and its consecutive admission to the Schengen area.
Prague Airport works closely with the Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic, the Civil Aviation Authority, the Air Traffic control of the Czech Republic, air carriers, public authorities within or outside of the aviation segment, airport users, the Capital City of Prague and municipalities in the airport’s vicinity. Here we ask about the airport’s GSE procurement strategy.
AI You have just announced the acquisition of a new Rosenbauer fire tender. Was this part of an ongoing investment programme in ground vehicles or was it simply to replace ageing equipment or to cater for the A380?
JP Our priority is rolling stock recovery but the airport has a medium-term strategic goal to prepare an infrastructure for handling “F” category aircraft, for example the A380.
AI Who is responsible for buying ground support equipment like vehicles, tugs, baggage dollies, etc? Does the airport do the selection and procurement or does Prague Airport’s Ground Handling Services do this?
JP Procurement in cooperation with handling has this responsibility.
AI What equipment will you look at acquiring next – tugs, deicers, ground power units, for example?
JP This year we plan to purchase an aircraft towbarless tractor. Two power stow units have been delivered.
AI Have you also acquired new passenger boarding bridges to go with your new terminal 2 opened in 2006 or have you preferred to use buses?
JP New passenger boarding bridges were already acquired. We prefer to have a maximum number of bridge stands but further investment will be coherent with the opening of the new parallel runway which is expected in 2014.
AI Have you a significant cargo operation and have you invested in cargo loading equipment or is this something you will do in the future?
JP Our ground handling operation doesn´t provide cargo handling. The service at the airport is provided by two organisations: Skyport and Menzies.
AI Since the PRM legislation came into force, have you bought special equipment for disabled people?
JP This service is outsourced and a provider (maid Pro company) supports the special equipment itself.
AI Do you also buy special equipment for fuel and catering handling or is this owned by specialist fuel and catering companies?
JP No, this equipment belongs to the appropriate companies who provide the service.
AI Have you plans in place for more equipment when the second runway is built or is this too far in the future to consider at present?
JP This is too far in the future, but an increasing effort in peak hours will definitely generate a need for more equipment.
AI Do you always buy new equipment outright or do you lease equipment too?
JP Most of the time we prefer to purchase equipment.
AI Do you recoup the cost of this equipment through general landing fees or do you charge for the use of each piece equipment by the airline and charge each airline according to use?
JP The charge for the use of ground handling service equipment is included in the handling fee.
Infrastructure elements are paid from airport fees but, in some cases, airlines are charged for the use of each piece of equipment like buses and bridges.
