In the 2000s, I loved seeing the OK tails of CSA Czech Airlines at airports around the world. I never actually flew them, but I wish I had. On Friday, I wrote about the airlines we lost in 2024. One of the most prominent was Czech Airlines’. As the fifth-oldest airline in the world and the third to fly a jet aeroplane, Czech Airlines (CSA) held a special place in European aviation. With its closure, I feel we’ve lost a part of aviation history.
Reflecting on CSA , I was reminded of the famous Czech statesman and author Václav Havel and his exploration of resilience. Havel often described a world trapped in systems that suffocate authenticity. CSA’s journey echoes this—a proud national airline entangled in a complex web of market forces, government policies, complex ownership structures, and shifting consumer demands. They all brought CSA down.
Havel believed in “living in truth”—a commitment to authenticity even in the face of overwhelming odds. What if CSA had embodied this? Could it have found a way to bridge the tough realities of the aviation industry?
In my alternate world, in the early 2000s, when Ryanair began operating flights to Prague, CSA would have recognised the risk and had a supportive ownership that would have invested in the future. CSA would have been split into two entities:
- Prague Air is a no-frills carrier aiming to become a dominant regional player, connecting Prague to Europe, the Middle East, and possibly the USA with affordable travel options for leisure and business passengers.
and
2 A Reinvented Czech Airlines, tagged “Europe’s Boutique Airline.” They would focus on being a premium European airline proudly representing Prague’s elegance, sophistication, and rich history. This could have been Eastern Europe’s answer to SWISS International Airlines, offering high-quality service, unique experiences, and a touch of Prague’s charm.
This division could have allowed both airlines to thrive in their niches while proudly representing Prague and the Czech Republic. CSA’s existing routes would have been strategically shared between the two new groupings. Add I a fleet of newer, fuel-efficient aircraft and leveraging the Czech Republic’s lower cost base and competitive wage structure compared to many other countries, could this approach have been the key to saving Czech Airlines?
The key to success in this model would have been to ensure that both airlines maintained strong branding and a clear identity.
Prague Air could have had advertising campaigns focused on the excitement and adventure of travelling to Prague. Imagine: This stunning European Christmas market with memorable views, fab food & 29.99 Prague Air flights is just 90 minutes from London.
Czech Airlines would have capitalised on its rich history and connection to the city, offering a luxurious and memorable travel experience: A Fairytale Palace waits in the heart of Europe. Czech Air, Europe’s Boutique Airline will take you there in affordable comfort.
Additionally, consolidating operations in Prague could have made it a significant European hub, drawing travellers from around the continent. By expanding routes to key European destinations and beyond, both airlines could have fed into each other, allowing passengers travelling on Prague Air to seamlessly transition to Czech Airlines when looking for longer international flights to the USA, Asia, and Middle East.
While we’ll never know if such a path could have saved CSA, this vision underscores the importance of adaptability and authenticity in a rapidly changing aviation landscape. An approach that I believe embraces Václav Havel’s “living in truth” philosophy. The loss of Czech Airlines is a poignant reminder that every airline needs bold reinvention every decade to survive.
What do you think? Meanwhile, back in our universe: alas, Poor CSA. Congrats on making a century.
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- Flying Around the World for “Free”: A Frequent Flyer Adventure
- My 2024 Around the World – now 90 Countries
- Two weeks in the Air: My Best and Worst Airlines
Nicely written! Bitter end of OKplus left me with huge mileage savings loss.