End of an era: The final Czech Airlines flight will land in Prague tonight

Last October, Czech Airlines (ČSA) celebrated 100 years in the air since its founding in 1923. Tonight, the iconic Czech brand will operate its final independent flight before fully merging with Smartwings.

The last commercial flight from ČSA under the iconic flight code "OK" touches down at Václav Havel Airport in Prague later this evening. Scheduled to depart from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris at 8:15 p.m., it will land in Prague at 9:55 p.m., concluding a chapter for the airline that has operated under the "OK" designation since its founding.

Starting tomorrow, flights previously operated by ČSA will be managed by Smartwings, the majority owner of ČSA. Ticketing systems, schedules, and departure boards will now list ČSA flights under Smartwings’ "QS" code, although ČSA’s familiar branding, including its "OK" code, will remain on the aircraft.

Smartwings will continue to operate two ČSA Airbus A320s that will retain the ČSA colors and code. In the coming months, four additional Airbus A220-300 jets will be added to the ČSA fleet operated by Smartwings, with the first two expected by the end of this year and the remaining two in early 2025.

This change is part of a broader strategic shift that ČSA announced earlier this month when it restructured its business model to become the managing company within the Smartwings Group.

As part of this restructuring, Smartwings, alongside its subsidiaries in Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary, will handle all flight operations across the group. ČSA and Smartwings cited operational efficiency as the main reason for the reorganization.

For ČSA passengers, the airline assures that little will change. Tickets can still be purchased on ČSA’s website, as well as through existing distribution channels, and no current routes will be discontinued. The airline maintains that the reorganization will be seamless from a customer perspective.

Founded in 1923 as Czechoslovak State Airlines, ČSA is among the world’s five oldest airlines still in operation. The airline’s financial history has been turbulent in recent years, with Korean Air stepping in with a 44 percent stake in 2013 amid financial difficulties.

By 2018, Smartwings acquired a controlling interest, and in March 2021, ČSA faced insolvency. This led to Smartwings owners Jiří Šimáně and Roman Vik, along with Chinese partners, becoming primary investors in the airline.

In 2023, ČSA celebrated 100 years of aviation. By February 2024, Smartwings regained full control under Czech ownership, with Prague City Air purchasing a nearly 50 percent share from Chinese company CITIC. Tonight, ČSA's final flight lands in Prague, concluding a 101-year history in the air.