Czech Airlines (CSA) has agreed with aerospace company Airbus on delivery of four new Airbus A220‑300s. At the same time, CSA has concluded contract agreement on the bases of which CSA has opted for three A321XLRs aircraft with longer range instead of a previous order for A320neos. With the new Airbus models CSA is acquiring the most modern and efficient new-generation aircraft.
Negotiations between Smartwings Group and Airbus on the purchase of the new aircraft for CSA took several months. The first two Airbus A220 aircraft will join CSA’s fleet in late 2020, the other two in Q1 2021 and Q2 2021, respectively. The deliveries of long‑range A321XLRs are scheduled for 2025.
“The A220 and A321XLR fit well with our long-term business strategy in terms of network expansion. These aircraft will definitely give Czech Airlines a competitive advantage, and will increase the capacity of our regular flights. I believe that this step will be appreciated by our passengers, as the aircraft offer best in class comfort even during long haul flights thanks to a brand new cabin configuration,” said Petr Kudela, Chairman of the Board of Czech Airlines.
“What a winning combination for Czech Airlines! The A220 has proved to be a strong performer in Europe with its high daily utilisation being a testament to its versatility,” said Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer. “The A321XLR has the longest range of our A320 Family. Passengers can now fly further without compromising on comfort, whilst Czech Airlines benefits from remarkably lower fuel consumption as it expands its network.”
Airbus A220 is one of the most advanced mid‑range airplanes on the market. They will replace ATR aircraft currently used by CSA under a leasing contract which is about to expire. The A220‑300 aircraft will have 149 passenger seat capacity. The A220 aircraft have remarkably lower fuel consumption than the previous aircraft category. The aircraft shows a lower environmental burden and a significantly smaller noise footprint. The A321XLR is the latest single-aisle aircraft from Airbus with a range of up to 8700 km.
CSA’s fleet includes 13 airplanes – six Airbuses A319, five ATRs 72, one Boeing 737‑800 and one high‑capacity Airbus A330‑300 for long‑haul flights. Most CSA lines are operated in cooperation with its parent company Smartwings and served by aircraft from the Smartwings Group fleet. Together with its codeshare partners, CSA offers flights to dozens of destinations across Europe, Middle East and Asia. Czech Airlines is a member of global airline alliance SkyTeam.
