The flag carrier of Czechia is set to triple its fleet next year. Czech Airlines announced today it will receive four Airbus A220-300 aircraft to expand its international presence as the carrier celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.
The aircraft will come directly from the Airbus factory following an agreement with aircraft lessor Air Lease Corporation as part of a fleet modernization by the European airline. All four aircraft are scheduled to deliver to the European airline in 2024.
Why the A220?
The airline first indicated it was interested in leasing Airbus A220s for its fleet and launching a range of new destinations last October. These new long-term lease placements for four new Airbus A220-300s will come from Air Lease Corporation's existing order book with Airbus.
The narrowbody aircraft have significant fuel economy and passenger experience improvements over SkyTeam carrier's existing fleet of two A320-200s. A brand-new cabin configuration for the airline will be installed on the incoming aircraft. The Airbus A220-300 can seat up to 160 passengers, or 120-150 in a two-class configuration. Petr Kudela, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Czech Airlines, expressed their excitement for the incoming planes:
“These ALC A220s will greatly enhance our airline’s operational strength as we modernize our fleet with highly efficient and environmentally friendly single-aisle aircraft. Czech Airlines is pleased to launch the cooperation with the ALC team at the time we celebrate our 100th anniversary in October 2023.
Thanks to a brand-new cabin configuration, the aircraft offers best in class comfort for short- and medium-haul flights. I am, therefore, convinced that this step will be appreciated particularly by our customers.”
Its Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW1500G geared turbofan engines increase efficiency, contributing to a 25% lower fuel burn per seat than previous generation aircraft. Other benefits include reducing the aircraft's noise footprint and decreasing emissions.
Upgrading the fleet
The carrier was founded in 1923 and ranks among the five oldest airlines in the world. Part of the Smartwings Group since 2018, the airline currently has two aircraft in its fleet. Its first Airbus A320-200, registered OK-HEU, joined the airline in 2020 and operates flights for Israir out of Tel Aviv.
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Another Airbus A320 (OK-IOO) joined the airline a the end of April to celebrate its 100th anniversary, having previously flown for Cebu Pacific. The aircraft is painted in a special jubilee livery and is deployed on regular routes from Prague's Václav Havel Airport. It was most recently seen on the carrier's routes to Paris Charles De Gaulle, Hurghada, and Marsa Alam.
The new aircraft are expected to deploy on routes to key European links. Czech Airlines' previous destinations included the likes of Brussels, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome, Amsterdam, Helsinki, Bucharest, and Malta. Steven Udvar-Házy, Executive Chairman of Air Lease Corporation, expressed his excitement at the new agreement:
“We are pleased to announce this lease placement for four new Airbus A220 aircraft with Czech Airlines.
“As the first to introduce the A220 to the airline, ALC looks forward to working with Czech Airlines long-term to modernize and enhance the airline’s fleet with the most technologically advanced and fuel-efficient new aircraft.”
The airline most recently operated an Airbus A319 and previously flew widebodies, including the Airbus A310 and A330.