Between January and September this year 686,000 passengers used charter flights operated by Czech Airlines (ČSA), which is a 15 percent rise year-on-year.
The number of flights operated increased by over 11 percent. ČSA aircraft flew to 50 destinations all over the world over these three quarters. The most frequent destination within the charter network was Hurghada (Egypt), Heraclion (Crete) and Antalya (Turkey).
Czech Airlines recorded an increase in transport for both Czech and foreign travel agents over the last nine months. Renowned international companies book ČSA flights more and more often, the Bank of Scotland being one example. ČSA aircraft also carry football teams, for instance Anderlecht Brussels or the national football teams of Ireland or Macedonia. “These are demanding customers who require a very high standard of services,” said ČSA charter transport director, Zdeněk Prejzek.
“ČSA puts a great emphasis on the regularity of its flights. We pay the same attention to charter flights as to our regular service,” Prejzek added. In September, 95 percent of ČSA charter flights departed on time (meaning a delay of less than 15 minutes according to the European Airline Association methodology).
[GADS_NEWS]2006/2007 Winter season
In the coming winter season, ČSA charter flights will regularly depart to exotic destinations such as Varadero (Cuba), La Isla Margarita (Venezuela) or La Romana (the Dominican Republic) – ČSA is the only carrier on the Czech market with direct service to this destination with long-distance Airbus A310 aircraft seating 200 passengers. ČSA aircraft will head to favourite seaside resorts in the Canary Islands and Egypt, not only from Prague but also from Brno, Ostrava and Bratislava.
A new feature offered by ČSA to travel agents starting this winter season is the option of introducing “Plus class” on medium-haul flights, i.e. to the Mediterranean. Travel agents will thus have the possibility of offering their clients more on-board space and a wider scope of services in this “business class” on charter flights. They will have the opportunity to use the ČSA departure lounge at the airports in Prague, Brno and Ostrava. ČSA will also allow passengers to take more baggage without any additional charges. “We believe that the introduction of a new class for more demanding tourists will contribute towards better-quality holiday travel,“ said Zdeněk Prejzek.
Czech Airlines (ČSA) – the largest national carrier of the new EU member countries according to the number of passengers carried. In 2005, the airline carried a record of more than 5 million passengers. Since 2001, it has been a member of SkyTeam, one of the leading global airline alliances. ČSA currently offers connections to 120 destinations in 45 countries worldwide. The fleet contains 50 aircraft – ATR 42’s/72’s, Boeing 737’s and Airbus A310/A320/A321’s.
For the last three years, ČSA has been selected as the “Best Airline Based in Central/Eastern Europe – 2004, 2005 and 2006”. This title is awarded annually by the Official Airline Guide (OAG) and is based on the votes of frequent business travellers.
In January 2006, Czech Airlines also won the “Best Airline in Eastern Europe” Award (the Annual GT Tested Awards) for a second year running. ČSA was also on the shortlist of the eight best world airlines in 2005.
