CSA Czech Airlines to Retire OK Code as Smartwings Takes Over Operations
CSA Czech Airlines will discontinue its OK-coded flight numbers from late October, marking a significant shift in the carrier’s operational strategy. Starting October 27, CSA’s two main routes—from Prague to Madrid and Paris—will transition to flight numbers under its sister company, Smartwings, which operates with QS codes.
Currently, CSA flies from Prague’s Václav Havel Airport to Madrid’s Adolfo Suárez-Barajas Airport four times a week using Boeing 737-800s. It also services Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport twice daily with Airbus A320s. The Madrid route will see a change in aircraft to A320s from December.
This transition is part of broader organizational changes within the Smartwings Group, CSA’s parent company. CSA will become a holding company and a majority shareholder of Smartwings. Consequently, Smartwings and its subsidiaries in Slovakia, Poland, and Hungary will handle all operational activities for the group.
The aim of this restructuring is to enhance operational efficiency through synergy between CSA and Smartwings. This strategy seeks to improve productivity while retaining both the CSA and Smartwings brands. As a result, Smartwings’ fleet will take over all flight operations, though CSA will continue to operate two A320s and four new A220-300s branded with CSA livery. The first two A220-300s are expected to arrive by year-end, with the remaining two following in early 2025.
Additionally, CSA’s OK Plus loyalty program will be terminated as of October 26. This means that the redemption of miles for bonus tickets on CSA and SkyTeam partners will no longer be available post-October. Aviation Week has reached out to SkyTeam for further comments on these developments, including reports suggesting CSA’s exit from the alliance.
In the Czech aviation market, Smartwings holds a dominant position with a 39.7% share of departure capacity as of August 2024, according to OAG Schedules Analyser data. This makes Smartwings the largest operator in the market. Ryanair follows with a 13.8% share, while Wizz Air, Eurowings, and easyJet hold smaller shares. CSA, historically significant since its inception in 1923, ranks as the 12th-largest operator with a mere 1.2% market share.
Smartwings currently boasts a fleet of 39 aircraft, with additional units operated by its Polish, Hungarian, and Slovakian subsidiaries. In comparison, CSA operates just one aircraft. Overall, the Czech Republic sees almost 1.2 million departure seats in August 2024—a 44% increase from the previous year and a 3% rise compared to pre-pandemic figures. However, CSA’s capacity is set to drop by 92% compared to 2019, reflecting the group’s shift towards low-cost carriers (LCCs).
OAG data highlights that Smartwings’ leading position is being challenged by international competitors, including Wizz Air, which has increased its capacity over sixfold since August 2019, and Eurowings, which has tripled its capacity. Ryanair’s capacity growth in the Czech market stands at a more modest 31%.
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, aviationweek.com