Czech Airlines

Does anyone in the Czech Republic know anything about the economic situation of Czech Airlines? We have booked a flight with them this summer. First one leg was cancelled. Then we got a rerouting. Then a leg of the new route is also cancelled. How close to bankrupcy are they? A local journalist said the Czech state would not allow the nation's pride such a fate. Is he right? First it was Malev. Who's next?
Thanks for any reply!
Arne

Hi -*Arne.
CSA's financial situation - is worse than utter dire.
In 2011 - it made a trading loss of around €25million.
It is state owned - but the government is desperate to sell sections off - if not all at once.
Buying new aircraft is also impossible - so be aware you'll be flying on pretty old stock.
Search for alternatives, if you possibly can.
Are you looking for routes out of Norway?

Are you really going to believe a random internet posting when the multi-millionaire owners of the airline probably don't even know the answer?

If you can afford to risk it, keep your flight. If you can't, swallow the lost, return your ticket (if possible) and buy a different cheaper one now. When airlines go down, there's near zero chance of getting your money back or a replacement flight.

What's random about this....

http://news.airwise.com/story/view/1323115064.html

http://news.airwise.com/story/view/1328527690.html

When airlines go down, there's near zero chance of getting your money back or a replacement flight

If you've booked (paid for your fare) with a 'Visa' card, or the airline is ATOL protected (or both) - you will get a 100% refund if the airline fails.

Perhaps you booked very early, in that case many airlines will make changes to the schedules in the meantime.

*4....

Good point.
Also happens.

Thanks, battybilly,for useful information. I understand that airlines sometimes need to rearrange their schedules to improve their chances of surviving. But when an airline twice within six weeks cuts a flight that you are on, you inevitably wonder how soon it is going to happen again. I wasn't aware that the situation was so severe. We've heard that Air Baltic were struggling, probably because they are serving several airports here in Norway and that a collapse would affect many of us.

We are going to Tashkent, and there are other alternatives. The best is perhaps Turkish Airlines, so we might ask for a refund rather than another rerouting. We will lose some money on that, but we won't have to worry about further cancellations, I imagine.

So while my hopes are that CSA stays afloat, I am sorry to stay that I won't support their struggle but rather focus on the success on my own trip.

Arne

Good luck with everything.
Tricky route - that one.

sometimes need to rearrange their schedules to improve their chances of surviving

No, twice a year (I think) all flight timetables worldwide are negotiated and adjusted; I've had several changes by KLM for their flights too, sometimes twice for one flight. They then just call booked passengers and offer alternative times or dates. It's complicated and sometimes they mess up and need to adjust schedules more than once. This was also a flight I had booked many months in advance. I wouldn't worry.

Yes, I am aware of two seasons for airlines, summer and winter routes. But when one route is cancelled late January, and then another one six weeks later, you can't be blamed for fearing there is more to come. I have no wishes of failure for CSA, but some think it is smart to leave the sinking ship while you can. Let's hope the best for everyone!
Arne

Does anyone know anything about Smart Wings?

Looking for a Tel Aviv-Prague flight in July

thanks