ČSA flights were responsible for 30% of the total activity at the Prague airport before the coronavirus crisis hit, but the Czech republic’s flagship airline has been grounded for nearly two months. As of May 18, the company renewed three daily flights to Amsterdam, Paris and Frankfurt. By May 21, service to Stockholm should be restored and on the 25th ČSA will once again be flying to Bucharest. The airline reports that 48 travelers were in the first flight to Paris and that the plane had 90 passengers on its return trip. The first flights to and from Amsterdam had 50 passengers, which Lidové noviny points out represents roughly one-third occupancy of the plane used for that route. Passengers have to wear masks for the entire time they are on board and leave 2 meters between themselves when boarding and disembarking. ČSA, which is part of the Smartwings group, is currently involved in a debate over how the Czech state should take part in its recovery. Media reports claim that Smartwings is against a 100% takeover by the state and that it is only looking for a loan.
