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Czech Airlines Ceases Operations After 101 Years

The Prague-based carrier will be absorbed by Smartwings.

A Czech Airlines A319 landing at London Heathrow. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

European carrier Czech Airlines (CSA) officially ended operations on Saturday. The carrier, which inaugurated service in 1923 and joined the SkyTeam alliance in 2001, will no longer operate under its respective carrier code and brand, thus also parting ways with the SkyTeam alliance. 

The Prague-based flag carrier has been dwindling in size since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Before shutting down, CSA has two Airbus A320 aircraft in its fleet.

The carrier returned its sole A330 in 2020 resulting in the loss of its long-haul network. While the airline had newer Airbus products on order with deliveries anticipated to begin in 2020, the new aircraft were never handed over to the flag carrier. Airbus sought financial compensation from CSA for lack of payment for the order. 

While the carrier will no longer operate, aircraft and assets will be absorbed by Smartwings, which has a significant stake in the flag carrier. The company is also based in the Czech Republic and operates out of Prague. Smartwings currently operates 40 Boeing 737 aircraft and one Airbus A320. The two remaining A320 aircraft in the CSA fleet will be transferred over to the Smartwings fleet. 

However, according to the Czech Republic publication Radio Prague International, the two CSA A320 aircraft, along with four new A220 aircraft, will continue flying in the CSA livery.

Leaving SkyTeam

SkyTeam made a statement regarding the shut down of operation by one of the oldest carriers in the world. However, the dwindling size of the carrier meant that SkyTeam didn’t believe there would be much of an operational change as “the departure of Czech Airlines from SkyTeam will have little impact on the overall network.”

The major alliance also stated that five other members will continue operations in Prague. Smartwings is not currently a part of any airline alliance. 

Zach Cooke
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  • Zach Cooke

    Zach’s love for aviation began when he was in elementary school with a flight sim and model planes. This passion for being in the air only intensified throughout high school when he earned his Private Pilot Certificate. He then attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, earning his certificates and ratings to later flight instruct and share his passion for aviation with others. He now resides in the North East living out his dream as an airline pilot.

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