Czech Airlines

File:FarmanGoliathCSA.jpg used by ČSA in 1929]]

File:Ilyushin Il-12 OK-DBN CSA Orly 27.05.57.jpg of Czechoslovak Airlines at Paris Orly Airport in 1957]]

File:OK-LDA Brussel WA 1958.jpg OK-LDA, 1958 - this aircraft is now displayed in the Prague Aviation Museum, Kbely]]

File:Ceskoslovenske Aerolinie Tu-134A OK-EFK.jpg, at Pisa Airport, 1975]]

File:Ceskoslovenske Aerolinie Il-62 OK-DBE.jpg OK-DBE, 1975 at Milan Linate Airport]]

File:Airbus A310-304-ET, CSA - Czech Airlines AN0765602.jpg, in 2005]]

File:ATR ATR-42-500, CSA - Czech Airlines AN1729611.jpg which was phased-out in 2018.]]

ČSA was founded on 6 October 1923 by the Czechoslovak government as ČSA Československé státní aerolinie (Czechoslovak State Airlines).[http://www.csa.cz/en/portal/quicklinks/about-us/history.htm CSA Portal/History Section in English]; [http://www.csa.cz/cs/portal/quicklinks/about-us/history.htm CSA Portal/History Section in Czech] Twenty-three days later, its first transport flight took place, flying between Prague and Bratislava. It only operated domestic services until its first international flight from Prague to Bratislava and on to Zagreb in Yugoslavia in 1930. After the dismemberment of Czechoslovakia in 1939 and splitting the country into three parts, the airline was dissolved.

Following a coup in February 1948, the Czechoslovak Communist Party suspended some of ČSA's western European and Middle Eastern routes and also gradually replaced much of the fleet with Soviet-built airliners, due to the embargo imposed by the West on the western-built aircraft spares and other equipment. The Ilyushin Il-14 was updated and built under licence in Czechoslovakia as the Avia-14.

In 1950, ČSA became the world's first victim of a mass hijacking. Three Czechoslovak Douglas DC-3 airliners flown to an American air base at Erding, near Munich, stirred the world on both sides of the "burnt through" Iron Curtain and the case intensified the Cold War between East and West overnight.{{cn|date=January 2025}} On the morning of 24 March, the three aircraft landed near Munich instead of at Prague; the first from Brno, at 08:20, the second from Moravská Ostrava at 08:40, and the third from Bratislava at 09:20. Two-thirds of the people on board were unwilling participants and later returned to Czechoslovakia. The Czechoslovak Communist government commissioned a 'flight to freedom' book, stage play, and film (all bearing the name Kidnap to Erding) which celebrated the kidnapped returnees as heroes who had not allowed themselves to be swayed by promises of capitalist opulence.{{cn|date=January 2025}} Those who remained and requested political asylum in West Germany were proclaimed criminals for whom the Prague government vigorously requested extradition – in vain. The pilot from Brno was Josef Klesnil,{{cite news |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,934879,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100208215159/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,934879,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 8, 2010 |magazine=Time |title=CZECHOSLOVAKIA: Mutiny in the Air Lanes |date=3 April 1950 |access-date=23 December 2016}} a former Royal Air Force pilot with 311 squadron, who flew from Brno to Erding with a pistol pointed at his head.

In 1957, ČSA became the third airline to fly jet services,{{cn|reason=depending on exact criteria, sixth, not third - more specifics required|date=January 2025}} taking delivery of and putting into service the very first Tupolev Tu-104A that year. ČSA was the only airline other than Aeroflot to operate the Tu-104. The Tu-104A service that began in 1957 between Prague and Moscow was the first jet-only connection (other airlines used both jets and piston/turboprop aircraft).Zeman 2003, p. 70 The airline's first transatlantic services started on 3 February 1962 with a flight to HavanaFlight International 3 April 2007 using a Bristol Britannia turboprop leased from Cubana de Aviación. ČSA's transatlantic flights were code-shared with Cubana's services to Prague, and Cubana's crews provided initial training and assistance in the operation of the Britannia.

From the late 1960s, ČSA used a range of Soviet-built aircraft and modified versions for its extensive European and intercontinental services, totalling some 50 international and 15 domestic destinations. The Britannia was replaced with shorter-range Ilyushin Il-18D turboprops at this time, and transatlantic routes were established to Montreal and New York City in addition to Havana, with refuelling stops at Shannon (Eire) and Gander (Newfoundland). Along with the Il-18D, aircraft in ČSA's fleet included the short-range Tupolev Tu-134, medium-range Tupolev Tu-154, and long-range Ilyushin Il-62. As with several other airlines, the Il-62 was the first long-range jet airliner to be put into operation by ČSA (also the first foreign customer to buy Il-62s from the USSR). ČSA operated a fleet of 21 Il-62s between 1969 and 1997, including six Il-62Ms. A ČSA-registered Il-62 and three Il-62Ms were used as official Czechoslovak and Czech government transports between 1974 and 1996.{{Cite web |date=2014-10-06 |title=V padesátých letech boj se škůdcem vyhrávaly, teď čelí úpadku. Příběh ČSA |url=https://www.idnes.cz/technet/technika/csa-upadek-pribeh-aerolinie.A141005_170927_tec_technika_kuz |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=iDNES.cz |language=cs}}

After absorbing the "heavier" part of Slov-Air and taking its Let L-410A Turbolet turboprop commuters into its fleet in the early 1970s, ČSA partner airliner Slov-Air became the world's first to have a captain, Ján Mičica, slain at the controls by a hijacker, during a hijacking to West Germany. The aircraft involved, OK-ADN, is currently displayed in an open-air aircraft museum in Martin, Slovakia.{{Cite web |date=2016-08-11 |title=Aviation Museum: Letecke Muzeum Slavnica (Dubnica n. Vahom, Slovakia) |url=https://knaviation.net/museum-slavnica/ |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=KN Aviation }}

On 1 January 1991, Czechoslovakian Airlines split into two companies: Czechoslovakian Airlines, which would become Czech Airlines, and Slov Air, which had previously been a subsidiary of the original Czechoslovakian Airlines. The division of Czechoslovakian Airlines ownership in 1991 between the governing bodies of the Czech and Slovak parts of Czechoslovakia had no connection to the split of Czechoslovakia two years later, in January 1993.

The post-split Czechoslovakian Airlines became privatized in 1992. Air France and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development owned 19.1% of shares of the new company, while the Fund of National Ownership of the Czech Republic owned 49.3%. Czech Insurance Company owned 4.5%, the city of Prague owned 3.5%, and the last 2.3% was split evenly between three Slovakian cities: Bratislava, Kosice, and Poprad. {{Cite web|url=https://www.czechairliners.net/index.php/letecke-spolecnosti/1062-historie-csa-dil-3-1969-1992.html|title=CzechAirliners.net - informace ze světa letectví - Historie ČSA - díl 3. 1968-1992|website=www.czechairliners.net}}

{{Cite web|url=http://www.petrstepanek.cz/web/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=185:19-dleni-majetku-federace-2&catid=5:prezident-na-pl-uvazku&Itemid=19|title=19 Dělení majetku federace - 2|website=www.petrstepanek.cz}}

After the breakup of the Czechoslovak Federation, the airline in May 1995 adopted its present name. By the late 1990s, most of its Soviet aircraft had either been sold to other airlines or retired (a number were preserved), replaced with Western models such as the Boeing 737, Airbus A310 and Airbus A320. ČSA became a full member of the SkyTeam alliance on 18 October 2000. As of March 2007, the airline, with 5,440 employees, was owned by the Czech Ministry of Finance (56.92%), the Czech Consolidation Agency (34.59%), and other Czech institutions.

On 1 January 2010, the whole non-office ground staff of ČSA was transferred to the ČSA Support subsidiary, now named Czech Airlines Handling S.R.O. In February 2010, ČSA sold off its duty-free shops to another entity.

EU competition regulators began an investigation into Czech Airlines on 23 February 2011, stating that it doubted the loss-making concern could return to viability and comply with European Union state aid regulations.{{cite news |title =EU exec opens probe into Czech Airlines revamp aid|publisher =Reuters|url =http://in.reuters.com/article/eu-czechairlines-idINLDE71M13S20110223|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20161224031206/http://in.reuters.com/article/eu-czechairlines-idINLDE71M13S20110223|url-status =dead|archive-date =December 24, 2016|access-date = 23 December 2016|date=23 February 2011}}

In late 2012, ČSA Czech Airlines announced expansion plans and the resumption of long-haul flights in summer 2013 with Airbus A330 aircraft between Prague and Seoul.{{cite web|title=CSA Czech Airlines to resume long-haul operations?|url=https://volaspheric.blogspot.de/2012/12/csa-czech-airlines-to-resume-long-haul.html|website=volaspheric|access-date=23 December 2016|date=5 December 2012|archive-date=24 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224033242/https://volaspheric.blogspot.de/2012/12/csa-czech-airlines-to-resume-long-haul.html|url-status=dead}} Starting in March 2013, it operated direct flights from Prague to Perm, Nice, Munich, Zurich, Seoul, and Florence.{{Cite web |title=CSA Czech Airlines torna sul lungo raggio con un A330 |date=5 December 2012 |url=https://www.aviazionecivile.it/forum/threads/csa-czech-airlines-torna-sul-lungo-raggio-con-un-a330.127065/}}

After stock sales to Korean Air on 10 April 2013, ČSA Czech Airlines was owned by Czech Aeroholdings a.s. (56%) and Korean Air Lines Co., Ltd. (44%). On May 14, 2013, Czech Airlines Extraordinary General shareholders' meeting elected Cho Won-tae as a new member of its supervisory board. Cho replaced Petr Matousek, who resigned from his position on the supervisory board. This personnel change took effect on 1 June 2013 as a result of Korean Air's equity purchase.

In April 2015, Travel Service Group bought 34% of the airline, over which Korean Air had an option.{{cite news|title=Korean Air bringing new key partner into CSA Czech Airlines– Travel Service|url=http://centreforaviation.com/news/korean-air-bringing-new-key-partner-into-csa-czech-airlines-travel-service-289784|access-date=23 December 2016|work=CAPA|date=6 December 2013}}{{cite news|last1=Fraňková|first1=Ruth|title=Travel Service becomes a second biggest shareholder in Czech Airlines|url=http://www.radio.cz/en/section/business/travel-service-becomes-second-biggest-shareholder-in-czech-airlines|access-date=23 December 2016|work=Radio Praha|date=1 April 2015}} In 2016, the airline returned to profit for the first time in several years.{{cite news|title=CSA Czech Airlines: restructuring, partnerships, and now growth for SkyTeam's smallest airline|url=http://centreforaviation.com/analysis/csa-czech-airlines-restructuring-partnerships-and-now-growth-for-skyteams-smallest-airline-310411|access-date=23 December 2016|work=CAPA|date=2 November 2016}}

On 6 October 2017, Korean Air announced the sale of its 44 percent stake in Czech Airlines, which it had held for four years, to Travel Service. Travel Service by then owned 78.9 percent of ČSA.[http://www.aero.de/news-27627/Korean-Air-steigt-bei-Czech-Airlines-aus.html aero.de - "Korean Air exits Czech Airlines"] (German) 6 October 2017 Czech state company Prisko owned 20 percent of ČSA. Travel Service later also acquired Prisko's stake, increasing its stake to 97.74%.{{cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/travel-service-to-acquire-almost-all-of-czech-airlin-441963/|title=Travel Service to acquire almost all of Czech Airlines|first=David|last=Kaminski-Morrow|work=Flight Global|date=9 October 2017|access-date=30 November 2017}}

In 2014, the airline sold its Airbus 320s, as it had become unprofitable to fly them due to low load factor and high maintenance costs. In the summer of 2015, the fleet consisted of seventeen planes: seven Turboprops, nine Airbus A319s, and one long-haul Airbus A330 that was leased to the airline by Korean Air. {{Cite web|url=https://boeing.estranky.cz/clanky/zpravy/csa-proda-vsechny-sve-airbusy-a320.html|title=Boeing - král nebes - Zprávy - ČSA prodá všechny své Airbusy A320|website=boeing.estranky.cz}}

In 2016, the airline transported 2.26 million passengers, a 13% increase from 2015.{{Cite web|url=https://www.novinky.cz/clanek/ekonomika-zisk-csa-loni-stoupl-na-241-milionu-korun-40026501|title=Zisk ČSA loni stoupl na 241 miliónů korun - Novinky|date=March 6, 2017|website=www.novinky.cz}} The average load factor increased from 10% to 75%, and the total number of flights increased by 9%. In the same year, the airline ordered six A320 Neo models, which was later reduced to three in 2019,{{Cite web|url=https://zdopravy.cz/ceske-aerolinie-skrtly-objednavku-ctyr-novych-airbusu-a320neo-maji-koupit-jen-tri-35456/|title=České aerolinie škrtly objednávku čtyř nových airbusů A320neo, mají koupit jen tři|first=Jan|last=Sůra|date=October 8, 2019}} and then converted into three orders for the Airbus A321XLR model instead at the beginning of 2020, with plans to launch North American Routes. Manufacturer Airbus planned to deliver the planes in 2023 and 2024. However, the airline cancelled the order due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The airline operated a fleet of eighteen planes over the summer of 2017 to a total of fifty different destinations, including twenty-five distinct European and Asian countries, the most extensive coverage since the global financial crisis.

From the fall of 2018 through the winter of 2019, Smartwings Group management eliminated many airline routes, including the Prague-Bratislava and Prague-Ostrava routes that the airline has been flying since its inception. Soon after, profitable routes into select Russian cities were eliminated and immediately replaced by new routes operated by Smartwings.{{Cite web|url=https://or.justice.cz/ias/ui/vypis-sl-detail?dokument=60285305&subjektId=689819&spis=74387|title=Veřejný rejstřík a Sbírka listin - Ministerstvo spravedlnosti České republiky|website=or.justice.cz}}

Under the leadership of the Smartwings Group, the Czech Airline's fleet was planned to be transformed into a fully integrated Boeing 737 fleet, the same model that the Smartwings fleet used. {{Cite web|url=https://zdopravy.cz/csa-konci-s-a319-pujci-je-eurowings-a-vrati-leasingovym-firmam-nahradi-je-boeingy-737-19025/|title=ČSA končí s A319. Půjčí je Eurowings a vrátí leasingovým firmám. Nahradí je boeingy 737|first=Jan|last=Sůra|date=12 November 2018}} However, due to technical and safety issues in the Boeing 737 MAX model found in early 2019, management decided that Czech Airlines would operate the ongoing Airbus fleet while Smartwings would operate a Boeing fleet. In April 2019, the fleet experienced a reduction of three out of the four operating Airbus A319s. However, one of these was later reintroduced.{{Cite web|url=https://zdopravy.cz/csa-maji-po-peti-letech-znovu-a320-ve-svych-barvach-ma-upravene-trsatko-46569/|title=ČSA mají po pěti letech znovu A320 ve svých barvách, má upravené "trsátko"|first=Jan|last=Sůra|date=April 10, 2020}} 

In March 2019, Smartwings announced that ČSA would undergo a fleet transition, with the Airbus A319 and ATR 72 to be retired.[http://www.austrianaviation.net/detail/smartwings-baut-deutsche-tochter-airline-auf/ austrianaviation.net - "Smartwings establishes German subsidiary"] (German) 7 March 2019 In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Czech Airlines announced in April 2020 the end of its already suspended sole long-haul route to Seoul.[https://www.austrianaviation.net/detail/czech-airlines-fliegt-kuenftig-nicht-mehr-nach-seoul/ austrianaviation.net - "Czech Airlines will no longer fly to Seoul"] (German) 30 April 2020 Thus, its sole Airbus A330 was to be returned to lessor Korean Air by October 2020.[https://www.aerotelegraph.com/csa-gibt-einzigen-langstreckenflieger-ab aerotelegraph.com - "CSA hands back sole long-haul aircraft"] (German) 1 May 2020{{Cite web|date=2020-07-05|title=Jediný dálkový stroj ČSA zmizel z Prahy, OK-YBA se z Malty vrátí do Soulu majitelům|url=https://zdopravy.cz/jediny-dalkovy-stroj-csa-zmizel-z-prahy-ok-yba-se-z-malty-vrati-do-soulu-majitelum-53144/|access-date=2020-07-06|website=Zdopravy.cz|language=cs}}

Towards the end of January 2020, the airline announced a plan to expand and modernize the fleet, with the planned addition of four new Airbus A320s. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these plans were abandoned. In the early stages of the pandemic, the company's workforce declined from 700 to 300 employees,{{Cite web|url=https://zdopravy.cz/csa-zacinaji-s-propoustenim-v-prvni-vlne-prijde-o-praci-144-lidi-56206/|title=ČSA začínají s propouštěním, v první vlně přijde o práci 144 lidí|date=July 31, 2020}} and by the end of the year, the active fleet declined from five planes to two, both of which were under lease, flying to only five European destinations.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, ČSA fell into insolvency, applying for a moratorium in August 2020.{{Cite web|date=2020-08-26|title=Smartwings a ČSA požádaly o dluhové moratorium|url=https://zdopravy.cz/smartwings-a-csa-pozadaly-o-dluhove-moratorium-58795/|access-date=2021-09-08|website=Zdopravy.cz|language=cs}} In February 2021, a maintenance provider ordered the seizure of two Czech Airlines' ATR 72-500 in Prague over unpaid debts. Before the incident, near the end of the moratorium, majority owner Smartwings announced that Czech Airlines faced insolvency should it not receive state financial aid,[https://www.aerotelegraph.com/wartungsfirma-setzt-zwei-atr-72-von-csa-fest aerotelegraph.com] (German) 9 February 2021 but the aid raised controversy.{{Cite web|url=https://zdopravy.cz/ceske-aerolinie-na-sebe-podaly-insolvencni-navrh-74958/|title = České aerolinie jsou na vlastní návrh v insolvenčním řízení, chtějí reorganizaci|date = 26 February 2021}} That same month, the airline notified the Czech Employment Office that it might lay off its entire workforce of some 430 people. In March 2021, it added that it had no means to meet its financial obligations and filed for bankruptcy.{{Cite web|date=2021-02-26|title=České aerolinie jsou na vlastní návrh v insolvenčním řízení, chtějí reorganizaci|url=https://zdopravy.cz/ceske-aerolinie-na-sebe-podaly-insolvencni-navrh-74958/|access-date=2021-09-08|website=Zdopravy.cz|language=cs}}

In March 2021, ČSA announced the immediate retirement of all ATR 72-500 aircraft, considerably shrinking its remaining fleet.[https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/101286-csa-czech-airlines-retires-all-atrs ch-aviation.com - CSA Czech Airlines retires all ATRs] 10 March 2021 At the end of August 2021, ČSA was operating just one Airbus A320 aircraft; the second was inoperable.{{Cite web|date=2021-08-27|title=ČSA zůstalo v provozu jediné letadlo, A319 stojí přes dva týdny kvůli závadě|url=https://zdopravy.cz/csa-zustalo-v-provozu-jedine-letadlo-a319-stoji-pres-dva-tydny-kvuli-zavade-90163/|access-date=2021-09-08|website=Zdopravy.cz|language=cs}} As of summer 2022, Czech Airlines had reduced its network to just three scheduled routes.[https://www.air-journal.fr/2022-05-19-csa-czech-airlines-plus-que-3-routes-des-le-mois-prochain-5235958.html air-journal.fr] (French) 19 May 2022 In 2023, the only route operated by Czech Airlines was from Prague-Paris.{{Cite web|url=https://zdopravy.cz/csa-leti-poprve-s-vyrocnim-airbusem-a320-nasadi-do-parize-156730/|title=ČSA letí poprvé s "výročním" Airbusem, A320 nasadí do Paříže|first=Jan|last=Sůra|date=April 28, 2023}}

In June 2022, ČSA exited business restructuring under a new ownership structure. Prague City Air, founded under the aid of Smartwings shareholders Jiří Šimáně and Roman Vik, was created to own 70% of ČSA while current majority shareholder Smartwings retained 30%. As of late 2022, the airline also planned to rebuild its fleet and route network using Airbus A320 and newly acquired Airbus A220 aircraft.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}} On 20 February 2024, Prague City Air s.r.o. purchased 49.92% shares in Smartwings a.s. from Rainbow Wisdom Investment Limited. Smartwings spokeswoman Vladimíra Dufková announced that the Czech shareholders now own 100% of the shares in both Smartwings and CSA Czech Airlines.{{Cite news |last=Popovic |first=Vanja |title=Smartwings becomes fully Czech-owned company |url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/news/137487-smartwings-becomes-fully-czech-owned-company |access-date=2024-05-17 |website=ch-aviation |language=en}}

In October 2024, Czech Airlines was restructured into a holding company, with Smartwings taking over all flight operations under both brand names.[https://www.ch-aviation.com/news/140396-czechias-csa-to-become-holding-co-smartwings-to-run-ops ch-aviation.com - Czechia's CSA to become holding co, Smartwings to run ops] 16 May 2024 The Czech Airlines brand remains active, with two Airbus A320 aircraft in its livery currently in operation. Additionally, four Airbus A220 aircraft in Czech Airlines colors are scheduled for delivery in the upcoming months.

On October 26, the last flight of ČSA took place, as it took off in the evening from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris to Prague Václav Havel Airport. This was the last flight under what has become to be known as its iconic "OK" flight call.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-26 |title=End of an era: The final Czech Airlines flight will land in Prague tonight |url=https://www.expats.cz/czech-news/article/end-of-an-era-the-final-czech-airlines-flight-will-land-in-prague-tonight |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=www.expats.cz |language=en}}

In 2016, Czech Airlines head office moved to Evropská Street in 6th district, Prague, Vokovice district{{Cite web |url= https://www.csa.cz/en/portal/contacts.htm |title=Contacts |website=Czech Airlines }} to lower overhead.{{Cite web |url= http://ekonomika.idnes.cz/rozhovor-s-sefem-csa-jozefem-sincakem-d8a-/eko-doprava.aspx?c=A161109_103121_eko-doprava_nio |title=Šéf ČSA: Lidé placení jídla přijali. Letenky za pár set korun nechystáme |date=11 November 2016 |website=iDNES.cz |language=cs |access-date=21 February 2017}} Czech Airlines formerly had its head office, the APC Building,{{cite press release |url= http://www.czechairlines.com/en/portal/quicklinks/news/news_tz/news_tzarchiv_data/tz_swap.htm |title=The Settlement of Land Relations between Czech Airlines and the Prague Airport Authority to Increase the Value of Both Companies Prior to their Privatisation |publisher=Czech Airlines |date=22 August 2008 |access-date=23 December 2016}} on the grounds of Václav Havel Airport Prague in Ruzyně, 6th district, Prague.{{cite web |title=Imprint |url= http://www.csa.cz/en/portal/company/imprint.htm |website=Czech Airlines |access-date=23 December 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100401100811/http://www.csa.cz/en/portal/company/imprint.htm |archive-date=1 April 2010 |quote=Letiště Ruzyně, Prague 6 160 08, Czech republic}} On 30 December 2009, ČSA announced it would sell its head office to the airport for CZK 607 million.Heijmans, Philip. "[http://www.praguepost.com/business/3252-czech-airlines-sells-headquarters-to-prague-airport.html Czech Airlines sells headquarters to Prague Airport]." The Prague Post. 8 January 2010. Retrieved on 15 February 2010. Before the insolvency application, in February 2021, Czech Airlines moved its headquarters to the Smartwings building at Prague airport.

File:Holidays_Czech_Airlines_Airbus_A320_Vanzura.jpg of Holidays Czech Airlines]]

• Czech Airlines Handling provided ground handling or passenger and aircraft handling for many airlines operating flights from Prague.[https://www.czechairlineshandling.com/en czechairlineshandling.com] retrieved 7 March 2019
• Czech Airlines Technics provided aircraft maintenance and regular certified servicing for the Czech Airlines fleet and other airlines.[https://www.csatechnics.com/ csatechnics.com] retrieved 7 March 2019
• Czech Aviation Training Centre provided training to future aircrew members, as well as refresher and further training to existing crews operated by the state-owned enterprise Air Navigation Services of the Czech Republic. In addition to Czech Airlines, services of the training centre were also used by other airlines. Furthermore, "Flying without Fear" and "Stewardess/Steward Try-outs" courses were offered, as well as the "Flying for Fun" adventure course. These special events were also open to the public.{{cite web|title=Czech Air Navigation Institute: About Us|url=http://www.cani.cz/about-us/|access-date=23 December 2016}}
• Holidays Czech Airlines, a defunct charter subsidiary, focused mainly on flying to holiday destinations such as Greece, Turkey and Spain.[https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/airline/HCC ch-aviation.com - Holidays Czech Airlines] retrieved 7 March 2019 The airline launched on 1 June 2010 and ceased in July 2014.

Since its transformation to a joint-stock company in August 1992, ČSA has never paid dividends. The sale of a minority share to Air France was a fiasco, and the French airline withdrew. Subsequently, Antonín Jakubše and Miroslav Kůla stabilized the company and enlarged its fleet.{{cite news |last1=Alföldi Šperkerová |first1=Marcela |last2=Štětka |first2=Jan |title=Operace OK: pacient umírá |trans-title=Operation OK: the patient is dying |url= http://ekonom.ihned.cz/c1-38740780-operace-ok-pacient-umira |access-date=23 December 2016 |work=ekonom |date=22 October 2009 |language=cs}} In September 2003, Miroslav Kůla was fired. New CEO and ex-minister Jaroslav Tvrdík agreed with the unions to increase wages by a third and announced an "unprecedented" enlargement of the fleet.Annual report of České aerolinie a.s. for the calendar year 2003, page. 8-9, Jaroslav Tvrdík: "Již v roce 2004 dojde

k bezprecedentnímu nárůstu přepravní kapacity společnosti." and page 57 (in November 2003 new collective contracts with the unions were concluded)Marek Pražák, ČSA se pouštějí do odvážné hry, Mladá fronta DNES, 19. března 2004, 2nd page of section Ekonomika (average wage in ČSA should increase from CZK 33 thousand in 2003 to CZK 45 thousand in 2006)

In 2005, the financial situation sharply deteriorated. Although the sale of two ATR aircraft improved operating results by CZK 198 million, the operating loss was almost half a billion Czech crowns and the Government of Jiří Paroubek replaced Jaroslav Tvrdík with Radomír Lašák. The airline generated further operating losses, despite revenues of CZK 2.1 bn from the sale of almost all real estate and CZK 1.2 bn from aircraft sales. In 2005–2010, ČSA generated an operating loss of CZK 3.4 bn; without long-term asset sale revenues, the operating loss would have been twice as large. The gross margin did not even cover personnel expenses.Annual reports of České aerolinie a.s., calendar years 1997-2014

In 2016, the airline handled 2.7 million passengers and announced a net profit of 241 million crowns.{{cite web|url=http://www.nasdaq.com/article/chinesebacked-firm-travel-service-to-take-over-czech-airlines-20171006-00386|title=Chinese-backed firm Travel Service to take over Czech Airlines|agency=Reuters|date=6 November 2017|access-date=30 November 2017}}

A new look for Czech Airlines was revealed in September 2007. The new logo was created by Michal Kotyza, who works for the airline.{{Cite web|title=Jak se vám líbí nové logo ČSA?|website=Design portál |date=28 March 2015 |url=https://www.designportal.cz/jak-se-vam-libi-nove-logo-csa/ |access-date=2022-03-16 |language=cs}}

File:ČSA logo.png|Historic logo

File:Czech Airlines Logo.svg|2007–2024

File:CSA Tupolev Tu-124 Soderstrom-3.jpg|Pre–1975 Czechoslovak Airlines livery, with a feathered-wing-like branched line on fuselage bottom and "wind-swept" serifs

File:Ceskoslovenske Aerolinie Il-62 OK-DBE.jpg|1975–1993 Czechoslovak Airlines livery: a red line over windows and OK (JET) prominent on tail

File:Airbus A310-304-ET, CSA - Czech Airlines AN0765602.jpg|1993–2007 Czech Airlines livery: large abbreviation, blue line added, triangles on tail

File:Airbus A319-112, CSA - Czech Airlines AN1710502.jpg|2007–2024 Czech Airlines livery, with a rounded triangle

Czech Airlines offered buy on board service on some flights in addition to free service.{{cite web |title=Gourmet on Board |url= http://www.csa.cz/en/portal/info-and-services/travel-information/doplnkove_sluzby/gourmet-on-board.htm |website=Czech Airlines |access-date=23 December 2016}}{{cite press release |title=Czech Airlines to Expand the Options to Purchase Additional Services |publisher=Czech Airlines |date=12 December 2008 |url= http://www.czechairlines.com/en/portal/quicklinks/news/news_tz/news_tzarchiv_data/tz_12122008.htm |access-date=23 December 2016}}

The OK Plus frequent flyer programme gave passengers "OK Plus Miles" for flights with Czech Airlines, SkyTeam member airlines, other partner airlines or non-airline partners. OK Plus membership cards were available with the following tier levels: OK Plus membership, OK Plus Silver, OK Plus Gold, and OK Plus Platinum. The higher the card level, the greater the number of benefits passengers receive. CSA terminated its OK Plus program in October 2024, without implementing a replacement scheme.[https://okplus.csa.cz/en/ okplus.csa.cz] retrieved 19 June 2024

As of February 2021, Czech Airlines served four scheduled year-round and seasonal destinations including their home base at Václav Havel Airport Prague.[https://www.csa.cz/gb-en/destinations/ csa.cz - Destinations] retrieved 1 July 2022 This figure was down from 33 routes in summer 2019.{{Cite web |url= http://www.csa.cz/en/portal/csa-novinky/novinky_en.htm |title=Czech Airlines to launch five new routes this summer season |website=Czech Airlines |access-date=26 March 2017}} Flights were operated mainly in Europe, with Beirut being the sole remaining Middle Eastern destination. ČSA offered more than 110 destinations and 45 countries from Prague, but none of the long-haul service via its codeshare partners.{{cite web|url=http://www.csa.cz/en/portal/info-and-services/travel-information/flight-map.htm|title=Where we fly|website=Czech Airlines|access-date=23 December 2016}}

As of October 2024, routes to Paris and Madrid are operated by Smartwings under the Czech Airlines brand using two Airbus A320 aircraft in Czech Airlines livery.

In June 2007, ČSA signed a contract with Dxim Tours, the largest Czech travel agency, extending their contract for another three years. In May 2010, ČSA withdrew its last Airbus A310 used for these services.{{Cn|date=December 2024}}

Czech Airlines had codeshares with the following airlines:{{cite web|url=http://centreforaviation.com/profiles/airlines/csa-czech-airlines-ok |title=Profile on CSA Czech Airlines |website=CAPA |publisher=Centre for Aviation |access-date=30 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030184051/http://centreforaviation.com/profiles/airlines/csa-czech-airlines-ok |archive-date=30 October 2016 |url-status=live}}

{{Div col|colwidth=17em}}

• Aeroflot
• Aeroméxico
• Air Europa
• Air France
• airBaltic
• Azerbaijan Airlines
• Belavia
• Bulgaria Air{{cite news |last1=Liu |first1=Jim |title=Bulgaria Air expands CSA Czech codeshares from mid-June 2019 |url=https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/285082/bulgaria-air-expands-csa-czech-codeshares-from-mid-june-2019/ |access-date=27 June 2019 |work=Routesonline |date=27 June 2019}}
• China Airlines
• China Southern Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Etihad Airways
• Finnair
• Hainan Airlines
• Iberia
• KLM
• Korean Air
• Middle East Airlines
• Saudia{{cite web|url=https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/282223/saudia-csa-czech-airlines-begins-codeshare-partnership-from-late-dec-2018/|title=Saudia / CSA Czech Airlines begins codeshare partnership from late-Dec 2018|publisher=Routesonline|date=1 January 2019}}
• TAROM
• Smartwings
• Ural Airlines
• Vietnam Airlines
• Vueling

{{div col end}}

File:Airbus A320-214, CSA - Czech Airlines AN1841815.jpg]]

{{As of|2025|4}}, the Czech Airlines-branded fleet consists of the following aircraft:{{cite web |title=Aircraft Fleet |url=https://www.csa.cz/gb-en/fleet/ |website=Czech Airlines |access-date=19 June 2024}}{{cite web|title=Fleet |url=https://www.smartwings.com/en/fleet/|website=Smartwings}}

The entire fleet of Czech Airlines-branded Airbus aircraft is operated by Smartwings, an airline owned by Czech Airlines.[https://www.ch-aviation.com/news/145276-czechias-smartwings-to-take-first-a220-in-mid-4q24 ch-aviation.com - Czechia's Smartwings to take first A220 in mid-4Q24] 3 October 2024

Czech or Czechoslovak Airlines operated these aircraft types in the past:{{Cite news |url= https://magazin.aktualne.cz/ceskym-aeroliniim-bylo-90-let-tak-vypadala-histori/r~i:gallery:32128/r~i:photo:587278/|title=Foto: 90 let ve vzduchu. Z historie Českých aerolinií |date=28 December 2013 |work=Aktuálně.cz|access-date=20 March 2017 |language=cs}}{{Cite web |title=CSA Czech Airlines Collection {{!}} World Travel Library - The Collection |url=https://worldtravellib.com/airlines/csa/ |access-date=2023-02-03}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.planes.cz/cs/article/100026|title=Letadlový park ČSA|publisher=planes.cz|language=cs|date=2016-11-12}}

• On August 12, 1930, a ČSA Ford 5-AT-C Trimotor (registration OK-FOR) crashed near Jihlava (Iglau) while attempting to avoid a thunderstorm. The aircraft struck the ground in poor visibility after a sharp turn to avoid a chimney and caught fire, killing 12 of 13 on board.{{ASN accident |title=OK-FOR |id=19300822-0 |accessdate=23 September 2013}}
• On August 13, 1938, a ČSA Savoia-Marchetti S.73 (registration OK-BAG) struck a wooded mountain near Oberkirch on approach to Strasbourg en route from Prague via Paris, killing all 17 on board, the stewardess survived, but died a day later.{{ASN accident |title=OK-BAG |id=19380813-0 |accessdate=23 September 2013}}
• On March 5, 1946, a ČSA Junkers Ju 52/3m (registration OK-ZDN) crashed near Prague after two landing attempts, killing 10 of 15 on board. The aircraft was operating a Paris-Strasbourg-Prague passenger service.{{ASN accident |title=OK-ZDN |id=19460305-0 |accessdate=23 September 2013}}
• On February 13, 1947, a ČSA Douglas C-47A (registration OK-XDU) crashed shortly after takeoff from Ruzyne Airport while on a training flight, killing all three on board; improper maintenance was blamed, leading to a five-day crew strike.{{ASN accident |title= OK-XDU |id=19470213-0 |accessdate=23 September 2013}}
• On December 21, 1948, ČSA Flight 584 (a Douglas C-47A, registration OK-WDN) struck a hillside near Pilos, Greece in bad weather, killing all 24 on board. Other reports state the aircraft was shot down after the pilot lit a flare or crashed into the hill while dropping weapons for communist insurgents. The aircraft was operating a passenger service from Czechoslovakia to Israel with stops at Rome and Athens.{{ASN accident |title=OK-WDN |id=19481221-3 |accessdate=23 September 2013}}
• On February 27, 1950, a ČSA Douglas C-47A (registration OK-WDY) struck Praded Mountain en route to Prague from Ostrava, killing six of 25 on board.{{ASN accident |title=OK-WDY |id=19500227-0 |accessdate=23 September 2013}}
• On January 12, 1954, a ČSA Douglas C-47A (registration OK-WDS) struck a chimney and power lines and crashed near Prague after nearly failing to take off, killing all 13 on board.{{ASN accident |title=OK-WDS |id=19540112-0 |accessdate=23 September 2013}}
• On January 18, 1956, a ČSA Douglas C-47A (registration OK-WDZ) struck Mount Skapova after the aircraft was blown off course by strong winds, killing 22 of 26 on board.{{ASN accident |title=OK-WDY |id=19560118-0 |accessdate=23 September 2013}}
• On November 24, 1956, a ČSA Ilyushin Il-12 (registration OK-DBP) crashed into a field near Egislau, Switzerland, killing all 23 on board.{{ASN accident|title=OK-DBP|id=19561124-0|accessdate=23 September 2013}}
• On January 2, 1961, a ČSA Avia 14 (registration OK-MCZ) crashed on a climb out from Prague during a pilot training flight after failing to gain height on takeoff, killing all 10 on board.{{ASN accident|title=OK-MCZ|id=19610102-0|accessdate=23 September 2013}}
• On March 28, 1961, ČSA Flight 511 (an Ilyushin Il-18V) crashed in Gräfenberg near Nürnberg during a Prague-Zurich service due to structural failure, killing all 52 on board.
• On July 12, 1961, ČSA Flight 511 (an Ilyushin Il-18V, registration OK-PAF) crashed near Anfa Airport due to a possible crew error, killing all 72 on board.{{ASN accident|title=OK-PAF|id=19610712-0|accessdate=23 September 2013}}
• On October 10, 1962, ČSA Flight 306 (an Avia 14, registration OK-MCT) crashed near Slavkov while on approach to Brno, killing 13 of 42 on board.{{ASN accident|title=OK-MCT|id=19621010-1|accessdate=23 December 2016}}
• On September 5, 1967, ČSA Flight 523, an Ilyushin Il-18D (registration OK-WAI), crashed on climbout from Gander International Airport while on a Prague-Shannon-Gander-Havana passenger service, killing 37 of 69 on board; the cause was never determined.{{ASN accident |title= OK-WAI |id=19670905-0 |accessdate=23 September 2013}}
• On October 11, 1968, a ČSA Avia 14-32A (registration OK-MCJ, named Svit Gottwaldov) crashed near Ptice shortly after takeoff from Prague, killing 11 of 40 on board.{{ASN accident |title=OK-MCJ |id=19681011-0 |accessdate=23 September 2013}}
• On June 1, 1970, a ČSA Tupolev Tu-104A (registration OK-NDD, named Plzen) crashed after two attempted approaches to Tripoli International Airport, killing all 13 on board.{{cite news |title=1970: Nikdo z pilotů pořádně neznal letiště. Let ČSA skončil katastrofou Zdroj |url= http://technet.idnes.cz/let-csa-tripolis-1970-katastrofa-dzp-/tec_technika.aspx?c=A130603_153300_tec_technika_sit |access-date=23 December 2016 |work=Technet.cz |date=10 June 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130616034528/http://technet.idnes.cz/let-csa-tripolis-1970-katastrofa-dzp-/tec_technika.aspx?c=A130603_153300_tec_technika_sit |archive-date=16 June 2013 |language=cs}}{{ASN accident |title=OK-NDD |id=19700601-0 |accessdate=23 September 2013}}
• On August 20, 1975 ČSA Flight 540, an Ilyushin Il-62 (registration OK-DBF, named Brno Trade Fair) flew into the ground during a night-time approach to Damascus International Airport due to a misunderstanding between the pilots and the control tower that resulted in an incorrect altimeter setting, killing 126 of 128 on board in Syria's worst ever air disaster.{{cite news |title="Přistáli jsme," řekl a zemřel. Havárii ČSA před 36 lety přežili jen dva Zdroj |url= http://technet.idnes.cz/pristali-jsme-rekl-a-zemrel-havarii-csa-pred-36-lety-prezili-jen-dva-1c4-/tec_technika.aspx?c=A110818_154326_tec_technika_pka |access-date=23 December 2016 |work=Technet.cz |date=19 August 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110927193306/http://technet.idnes.cz/pristali-jsme-rekl-a-zemrel-havarii-csa-pred-36-lety-prezili-jen-dva-1c4-/tec_technika.aspx?c=A110818_154326_tec_technika_pka |archive-date=27 September 2011 |language=cs}}{{ASN accident |title=OK-DBF |id= 19750820-0 |accessdate=23 September 2013}}
• On July 28, 1976, ČSA Flight 001, an Ilyushin Il-18V (registration OK-NAB, named Košice), which was operating as a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Prague's Ruzyně airport to Bratislava-Ivanka Airport, both in Czechoslovakia, crashed into the Zlaté Piesky (Golden Sands) lake while attempting to land in Bratislava. All 6 crew members and 70 out of 73 passengers died.{{cite news |title=Seriál: Letadlo se zřítilo do koupaliště u Bratislavy. Málem trefilo řídicí věž Zdroj |url=http://technet.idnes.cz/pred-35-lety-u-nas-doslo-k-posledni-tragicke-nehode-dopravniho-letadla-1ia-/tec_technika.aspx?c=A110728_000608_tec_technika_pka |access-date=23 December 2016 |work=Technet.cz |date=28 July 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140104091751/http://technet.idnes.cz/pred-35-lety-u-nas-doslo-k-posledni-tragicke-nehode-dopravniho-letadla-1ia-/tec_technika.aspx?c=A110728_000608_tec_technika_pka |archive-date=4 January 2014 |language=cs}}{{ASN accident |title= OK-NAB |id=19760728-1 |accessdate=23 December 2016}}
• On February 11, 1977, a ČSA Avia 14T (registration OK-OCA) struck trees and crashed near Ivanka Airport due to crew error, killing four of five on board.{{ASN accident |title=OK-OCA |id=19770211-1 |accessdate=23 December 2016}} This is ČSA's last fatal accident.

• On November 9, 1946, a ČSA Douglas C-47A (registration OK-XDG) force-landed near Dobrovíz after running out of fuel while in a holding pattern due to bad weather; all 18 on board survived, but the aircraft was written off.{{ASN accident |title=OK-XDG |id=19461109-0 |accessdate=23 September 2013}}
• On December 24, 1946, a ČSA Douglas C-47A (registration OK-WDD) was written off following an emergency landing near Paris; all 15 on board survived.{{ASN accident|id=19461224-2|title=OK-WDD|accessdate=16 July 2020}}
• On January 25, 1947, a ČSA Douglas C-47A (registration OK-WDB) was struck by a crashing Douglas Dakota while parked at Croydon Airport; there were no casualties, but the aircraft was written off. See 1947 Croydon Dakota accident.{{ASN accident |title=OK-WDB |id=19470125-0 |accessdate=23 December 2016}}
• On March 16, 1963, a ČSA Tupolev Tu-104A (registration OK-LDB) caught fire and burned out while being refuelled at Santa Cruz Airport, India; no casualties except for a flight attendant who was injured after jumping from the plane.{{ASN accident |title=OK-LDB |id=19630316-1 |accessdate=23 September 2013}}
• On August 18, 1970, ČSA Flight 744, a Tupolev Tu-124V (registration OK-TEB, named Centrotex), landed wheels-up at Kloten Airport after the crew became preoccupied with cabin pressurization problems; all 20 on board survived, but the aircraft was written off.{{ASN accident|title= OK-TEB|id= 19700818-0|accessdate=23 December 2016}}
• On August 29, 1973, [https://nic-project.com/virtual-tours/tupolev-tu ČSA Flight 531, a Tupolev Tu-104A (registration OK-MDE)] slid off the runway while landing at [https://nic-project.com/ Nicosia Airport]; all 70 on board survived, but the aircraft was written off.{{ASN accident |title=OK-MDE |id=19730829-1 |accessdate=23 September 2013}}
• On January 2, 1977, a ČSA Tupolev Tu-134A (registration OK-CFD) collided on the runway at Ruzyne Airport with a ČSA Ilyushin Il-18 (OK-NAA) that was taking off; all 48 on board the Tu-134 survived, but it was written off; the Il-18 (all six on board survived) was substantially damaged but was repaired and returned to service, it was retired in 1981 and is now in a museum.{{ASN accident |title=OK-CFD |id=19770102-1 |accessdate=23 September 2013}}{{ASN accident |title=OK-NAA |id=19770102-0 |accessdate=23 September 2013}}
• On October 11, 1988, a ČSA Tupolev Tu-134A (registration OK-AFB) landed hard at Ruzyne Airport; there were no casualties, but the aircraft was written off and flown to Piešťany where it served as a restaurant.{{ASN accident |title=OK-AFB |id=19881011-1 |accessdate=23 September 2013}}
• On June 9, 2012, a Czech Airlines ATR 42-500 (registration OK-KFM) was destroyed in a hangar explosion and fire at Ruzyne International Airport. A second ATR 42 (OK-JFK) was also damaged by the fire. Two Czech Airlines Technics employees were working with an explosive liquid. The liquid was sucked into a heavy technic vehicle, which then blew up near the aircraft and caused the fire.{{ASN accident |title=OK-KFM |id=20120609-0 |accessdate=23 September 2013}}

• On April 6, 1948, a ČSA Douglas DC-3 was hijacked to Neubiberg Air Base, Germany by 20 people wishing to escape Communist rule in Czechoslovakia.{{ASN accident|id=19480406-0|title=|type=Hijack|accessdate=16 July 2020}}
• On March 24, 1950, three Douglas DC-3s from Czechoslovakia were simultaneously hijacked. All three aircraft landed at the US Air Force Base at Erding, West Germany. In all, 26 of 85 passengers chose to stay in West Germany to escape Communist rule in Czechoslovakia.{{ASN accident |type=Hijack |title= |id=19500324-0 |accessdate=23 September 2013}}
• On March 23, 1952, a ČSA Douglas C-47 was hijacked by four people who demanded to be taken to Germany. The aircraft landed safely at Frankfurt with no casualties.{{ASN accident |type=Hijack |title= OK-WDY |id=19520323-1 |accessdate=23 September 2013}}

• Click4Sky

==References==

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{cite book |last=Zeman |first=Libor | title=Czech Airlines 1923/2003 - For 80 years at home in the skies | year=2003 |publisher=Czech Airlines | location=Prague }}

{{commons category-inline}}

• {{official website|https://www.csa.cz/en/}}

{{Portalbar|Czech Republic|Aviation}}

{{SkyTeam}}

{{Airlines of the Czech Republic}}

{{IATA members|europe}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Defunct airlines of the Czech Republic

Category:Airlines established in 1923

Category:Airlines disestablished in 2024

Category:Companies based in Prague

Category:Czechoslovak companies established in 1923

Category:Czech brands

Category:Government-owned airlines

Category:Former SkyTeam members

Category:Defunct airlines of Czechoslovakia