{"id":72607,"date":"2024-10-27T00:46:36","date_gmt":"2024-10-26T19:16:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=72607"},"modified":"2024-10-27T00:55:48","modified_gmt":"2024-10-26T19:25:48","slug":"czech-airlines-last-flight-to-prague-after-101-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2024\/10\/27\/czech-airlines-last-flight-to-prague-after-101-years\/","title":{"rendered":"Czech Airlines Last Flight After 101 Years"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

PRAGUE-<\/strong> Czech Airlines (OK) or \u010cSA operated its last and final flight today, marking the end of an over 100-year aviation <\/strong>journey that began in 1923.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The airline’s last autonomous flight under the historic “OK” code landed at Prague’s V\u00e1clav Havel Airport (PRG) at 3:49 p.m. and departed from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)<\/a> at 4:58 p.m. local time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: FlightRadar24<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Czech Airlines Last Flight<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Smartwings assumes control of all Czech Airlines operations tomorrow, integrating the century-old carrier into its broader network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The transition shifts \u010cSA flights to Smartwings’ “QS”<\/strong> code across all booking platforms and airport systems, while maintaining \u010cSA’s visual identity on aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbus A320-200, registered as OK-IOO<\/strong> operated the last flight. The 15.8-year-old<\/strong> aircraft has a special 100-year livery painted on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Prague Airport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The merger preserves two existing \u010cSA Airbus A320s<\/a> under Smartwings’ management, with both aircraft retaining their original \u010cSA livery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smartwings plans to expand the former \u010cSA fleet with four Airbus A220-300 aircraft, deploying two units by December 2024 and completing the expansion in early 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This consolidation follows \u010cSA’s recent strategic reorganization, positioning it as the management entity within Smartwings Group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The restructuring centralizes flight operations under Smartwings’ control, encompassing its subsidiaries across Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary. Both airlines emphasize operational optimization as the driving force behind this corporate transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Czech Airlines (\u010cSA) ensures operational continuity for passengers through the Smartwings merger. Customers retain access to all existing routes and booking channels, including \u010cSA’s website, maintaining current service standards throughout the transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Prague Airport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

End of the Era: 101-year Old Carrier<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The airline’s century-long journey began in 1923 as Czechoslovak State Airlines, securing its position among the world’s five longest-operating airlines. \u010cSA’s financial landscape shifted significantly when Korean Air (KE)<\/a> acquired a 44 percent stake in 2013, addressing mounting financial challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smartwings gained control by 2018, but \u010cSA encountered insolvency in March 2021. This financial crisis prompted intervention from Smartwings owners Ji\u0159\u00ed \u0160im\u00e1n\u011b and Roman Vik, alongside Chinese investors, who provided critical financial support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Prague Airport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The airline marked its centennial celebration in 2023, followed by significant ownership changes in February 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prague City Air’s acquisition of CITIC’s nearly 50 percent stake restored complete Czech ownership of Smartwings. Tonight’s final independent flight into Prague concludes \u010cSA’s 101-year legacy of autonomous operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join us on\u00a0Telegram Group\u00a0<\/a>for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on\u00a0Google News<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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