Yesterday, Czech Airlines announced that it would resume flights from 18th May to select destinations in Europe. The carrier will prioritize four cities as well as phasing in routes to Ukraine and Romania later on in the month.

CSA Airbus A319
Czech Airlines will resume flights in just over one week. Photo: Kiefer via Wikimedia Commons

Flights resume from 18th May to four European destinations

Czech Airlines announced yesterday that it would restart flights in as little as eight days. The carrier is planning a staggered approach to increase its schedule and is doing so with services to Germany, France, Sweden, and the Netherlands from Monday, 18th May.

The airline, as with so many others, has been heavily impacted by the coronavirus. According to Planespotters, its entire fleet of 12 aircraft has been parked. As a result, Czech Airlines has not operated a service for one and a half months. No doubt, it will be eager to get back into the sky.

On its website, the carrier shows that starting on the week of 18th May, it will fly between Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS). The flight will be offered twice daily and be operated by Airbus A320.

A320
Czech Airlines will fly A320 to AMS. Photo: Aero Icarus via Wikimedia Commons

In addition, the airline will also fly from PRG to:

  • Frankfurt Airport (FRA) via Airbus A319. Two flights, three days per week.
  • Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) via Airbus A320. Three daily flights.
  • Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) via Boeing 737-800. One flight on Sundays and Thursdays in May, moving to daily flights from 4th June.

Still focusing on safety

As well as these routes, Czech Airlines also hopes to offer flights to Kyiv in Ukraine starting on 24th May. This will go ahead subject to Ukraine lifting quarantine restrictions as it has currently scheduled. Also, Czech Airlines will introduce flights to Bucharest in Romania from 25th May.

IEV-PRG-OTP
Czech Airlines will fly between Prague and Ukraine and Romania if restrictions are lifted. Photo: Great Circle Mapper

Despite these additions to its schedule, Czech Airlines is still conscious about making flying as comfortable for passengers as possible. The airline will still encourage standard personal protection practices. In a press release about its schedule, Czech Airlines said:

"The most significant actions [to ensure flying is safe] include the obligation of passengers to cover their nose and mouth with sufficient protective gear (face mask) prior to boarding the aircraft and throughout the flight, social distancing (maintaining a two-metre gap between passengers during boarding and disembarking the aircraft) and contactless payments for purchases of in-flight refreshments."

In addition to these measures, Czech Airlines will continue to disinfect all parts of the cabin, including seats, tray tables, bathrooms, and overhead lockers.

Coming out of lockdown

Slowly, airlines are considering their schedules in preparation for an easing of travel restrictions. Some countries, like Spain and Italy, have adjusted rules surrounding their lockdowns in the hope that society will be able to make a gradual return to normal.

Czech Airlines B737-800
Czech Airlines has been able to help during the coronavirus, but its expertise is in passengers. Photo: Gforce800 via Wikimedia Commons

Czech Airlines will be one of those airlines looking to get back in the sky. Although its aircraft are parked, it was still able to contribute and use its assets throughout the pandemic. On 23rd March, it brought one million face masks from China to Prague. Also, it participated in the repatriation of Czech nationals, like its mission between India and Prague on 29th March.

Even though it was able to help out, there can be no doubt that the airline is looking forward to rebuilding itself and working as it knows best.

Are you excited to see Czech Airlines back in the sky? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.