Czech Airlines

History

Founded on 6 October 1923 as ČSA Československé státní aerolinie (Czechoslovak State Airlines), Czech Airlines was one of the world's oldest continuously operating carriers, serving as flag carrier first of Czechoslovakia and then, after 1993, of the Czech Republic. It pioneered scheduled jet-only service between Prague and Moscow in 1957 and joined the SkyTeam alliance on 18 October 2000. Ownership shifted decisively in 2017 when Czech investment group Travel Service, parent of low-cost carrier Smartwings, acquired a majority stake; Prague City Air took 70% ownership in 2022, and Czech shareholders reached full 100% control of both Smartwings and Czech Airlines by February 2024. After 101 years of flying, Czech Airlines ceased independent operations on 26 October 2024, with final flight OK767 landing in Prague from Paris that evening, and it simultaneously exited SkyTeam.

Current Operations

Czech Airlines no longer operates as an independent airline. Following its 26 October 2024 shutdown, its routes, aircraft and Prague hub were absorbed by Smartwings, which now flies some services in Czech Airlines livery and branding within the wider Smartwings Group. The Czech Airlines legal entity was restructured into a holding company rather than a flying carrier. In a further consolidation of European low-cost aviation, Turkish carrier Pegasus Airlines agreed in December 2025 to acquire Smartwings Group, including the Czech Airlines brand, for roughly €154 million.

Last verified 2026-08-22· Source: airline public disclosures, company press releases & aviation-industry reporting.

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