Penta’s plans to modernize the Vodochody airport outside Prague have again run into a hurdle. The court has canceled the noise protection zone the Institute for Civil Aviation had defined around the airport. The zone is key to the future development of the airport and expanding its operations, but it makes construction impossible in the municipalities within the zone. The mayors argue that Penta’s investment, worth CZK 3bn, will devalue properties in the region by CZK 7bn. For Penta, the court decision could delay its efforts to redevelop the former army airport into a second international airport in Prague. The airport director, Martin Kačur, said arbitration is an option. Penta bought the airport and Aero Vodochody from the state in 2006 and hoped it will be able to turn the army airport into a commercial one before 2010. However, the developer does not currently have a valid EIA. It secured EIA in 2013, but the Environmental Ministry later canceled it.
