BTS Airport Reports Its Best Financial Results in 16 Years
The airport operator M. R. Štefánik Airport achieved an exceptional financial result in 2024. At the end of the financial year, it became clear that for the first time in 16 years, since 2008, the BTS airport company closed the financial year with a profit – specifically, a profit of EUR 2.499 million!
“This is an outstanding financial result, as in previous years BTS ended with a loss, mainly due to high operating costs (energy, personnel costs, depreciation) and interest expenses,” stated Dušan Novota, CEO and Chairman of the Board of M. R. Štefánik Airport.
“In the past year, we saw an increase in the number of handled passengers (1,948,008, +7%) as well as an increase in aircraft movements (28,098, up by 6%). Consequently, our revenues from aviation activities also grew. Contributing to this were the new carrier Pegasus Airlines, an extended summer charter season lasting from May to September, cargo flights, and exotic winter season flights,” added the CEO.
The airport company also saw increased revenues from ground handling services, thanks to the handling of heavier aircraft – particularly in category E. For the first time in the company’s history, travel agencies from Bratislava offered flights to distant destinations such as Thailand and Mauritius aboard a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner with a capacity of 355 passengers, as well as an Airbus A330-300 to the Dominican Republic, Vietnam, and Cuba, with a capacity of 285 seats and business class service.
At the same time, revenues from non-aviation activities (space rentals, increased income from parking lot P3 operations without changing parking fees) also rose.
Moreover, the airport company managed to reduce energy costs by 35% and cut operating costs by 5%, despite most of them being fixed costs.
The operating profit before depreciation (EBITDA) increased year-on-year by 108% to EUR 13.635 million. The operating profit (EBIT) grew year-on-year to EUR 6.045 million.
PEGASUS AIRLINES – 1st Anniversary at BTS – Contributed to Passenger Growth Last Year
“A significant contributor to the increase in passengers at Bratislava Airport was the new carrier Pegasus Airlines, with whom we concluded a partnership last year. Right now, we are marking one year of direct flights from Bratislava to Istanbul and Antalya. Additionally, the airline offers connecting flights to domestic destinations in Turkey (Izmir, Kayseri, Ankara) and the Middle East (Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, and others),” the CEO added.
Slovakia Among the Countries with the Highest Growth in Airport Passenger Numbers in Q1, According to ACI EUROPE
In Q1 2025, Slovakia became the top country in the EU in terms of growth in the number of passengers at airports, achieving double-digit growth (+15.9%). This is based on statistics published by the Airports Council International (ACI EUROPE). The average growth across EU airports was only 4% in the first quarter.
Significant Passenger Growth at the Airport Also in April 2025
M. R. Štefánik Airport handled 273,807 passengers on arrivals and departures between January and the end of March. This represents a 14% increase compared to the same period last year. In April, the airport recorded its highest April result in the last 6 years – 147,441 handled passengers, a 24% increase compared to April 2024.
Operational Results from JANUARY TO APRIL 2025
During the first 4 months of the year, Bratislava Airport handled a total of 421,248 passengers (+18% vs. January–April 2024).
Cargo Transport Growth – Q1 Up by 65%, April Up by 86%
In the cargo sector, the airport is approaching pre-pandemic performance. In the first quarter, 4,423 tons of air cargo were transported – a 65% increase compared to last year. The largest carrier is European Air Transport Leipzig, which provides services for DHL. Additionally, Pegasus Airlines also transports small volumes of cargo on its flights. In April alone, 1,673 tons of air cargo were handled – representing a growth of 86%.