From Cold War pioneer to final flight: the century-long journey of Czech Airlines.
Founded in 1923, Czech Airlines was once a global aviation trailblazer and the world's fifth-oldest operating carrier. After surviving geopolitical shifts, mass hijackings, and financial turmoil, the iconic brand recently ceased independent flight operations, marking the end of a century of history in the skies over Prague.
Established in 1923 as Czechoslovak State Airlines, the carrier quickly became a symbol of national identity. It achieved global aviation milestones, including becoming the first airline to operate regular jet-only routes between Prague and Moscow in 1957. Throughout the Cold War, the airline navigated complex political landscapes, including the 1950 mass hijacking of three Douglas DC-3 airliners to an American air base in West Germany—an event that intensified international tensions overnight.
The post-Soviet era brought significant structural changes. Following the 1991 split of the original company, the airline was privatized in 1992. Despite periods of expansion and modernization, including joining the SkyTeam alliance in 2000, the company struggled with persistent financial instability. Between 2005 and 2010 alone, it generated an operating loss of 3.4 billion Czech crowns. Management attempted various strategies to return to profitability, including asset sales and fleet transitions, but the COVID-19 pandemic ultimately accelerated its decline, leading to a 2021 bankruptcy filing.
By October 2024, the airline had been restructured into a holding company, with its flight operations absorbed by the Smartwings Group. The final flight, OK767 from Paris to Prague, took place on October 26, 2024, ending the carrier's independent operations. In December 2025, Pegasus Airlines announced an agreement to acquire the holding for 154 million euros. While the brand remains active, the era of the independent, state-linked flag carrier has concluded, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and resilience.
Source: Czech Airlines
