Ahead of an anticipated return in air travel following a year of minimal activity due to the pandemic, Smartwings is launching flights to a new destination. The Czech carrier will be flying from its base of Prague to Nice, France from next month.

Another Mediterranean venture

The flights on this new route will begin on May 6th. They will operate twice a week, each Thursday and Sunday.

Presently, Smartwings performs scheduled flights from Prague to the Spanish destinations of Malaga, Mallorca, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Fuerteventura. It also heads to Funchal, Madeira, and Hurghada and Marsa Alam, Egypt. Additionally, the carrier conducts charter flights to Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE.

A SmartWings Boeing 737-700 about to land at Milan Malpensa
Due to the ongoing restrictions, the Czech operator had to lay off 600 employees and implemented a series of restructuring measures. Photo: Getty Images

Full steam ahead

The airline has other resumptions on the cards. Notably, earlier this week, it announced a return to St. Petersburg. This move follows over a year of suspended service to Russia’s second-largest city.

“As of April 29, the airline is resuming its regular service to St. Petersburg, Russia (twice a week), and as of May, the company is planning to start offering flights to Split, Croatia, and to selected destinations in Greece. Resumption of air traffic, however, is conditional on applicable travel restrictions imposed by the respective countries in association with the health situation,” Smartwings shares in a statement.

“In the summer season, Smartwings Group offers flights from Czech airports to 76 destinations in Greece, Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Croatia, Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Tunisia, UAE, Cape Verde, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Russia, Malta, Ukraine, and Island. During the summer season, Smartwings is planning to operate flights not only from Czech airports but also from its hubs in Poland, France, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Canary Islands.”

Smartwings Livery
The airline recently returned its Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to service. Photo: Smartwings

Ready for the next chapter

Smartwings is proud to share that tickets for its flights between Prague and Nice are already for sale. They can be booked on the platforms of both Smartwings and Czech Airlines amid their existing codeshare agreements. Moreover, passengers can purchase tickets through a travel agent.

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The airline recently bolstered its liquidity with $90 million through a loan agreement with numerous banks and financing from its country’s “Covid Plus” initiative. Just like many of its European counterparts, it has significantly struggled with the ongoing travel restrictions.

There is hope for a better summer despite many nations across the continent still trying to get on top of the virus. Following additional progress in the vaccine rollout, passengers will be eager to return to the skies amid an abundance of pent-up demand for travel.

What are your thoughts about Smartwing’s plans for the summer? Are you looking to fly with the airline this year? Let us know what you think of the airline and its prospects in the comment section.