Delta Airlines will resume service for the northern summer season between New York (JFK) and Prague (PRG) starting May 26, 2022. The same will be with daily flights operated with Boeing 767-300ERs. The airline’s last service to the Czech Republic was in October 2019.
«Prior to the current crisis, more than 70,000 passengers flew between Prague and New York each year, which represents tremendous potential for a year-round direct connection to Prague,» said Jiří Pos, Chairman of the Prague Airport Board.
«The relaunch of the route is, among other things, the result of negotiations conducted by Prague Airport representatives at the World Route Development Forum, currently underway in Milan, Italy», he added.
«The resumption of a direct air connection with the U.S. is absolutely crucial from the point of view of inbound tourism. This will allow us to take advantage of the steady increase in the number of tourists from the U.S., which we, as a destination, enjoyed before the COVID-19 crisis. Longer stays and visits to places outside the capital are typical for U.S. tourists», said Jan Herget, Managing Director of CzechTourism.
The resumption of long-haul flights in Prague (PRG) is a product of the easing of health restrictions worldwide, impacting the rules for foreign travelers entering the Czech Republic.
In 2019, Prague (PRG) had multiple connections to North America from Toronto (YYZ) via Air Canada Rouge, Philadelphia (PHL) with American Airlines, Newark (EWR) via United Airlines and New York (JFK) with Delta Airlines. All airlines operated with Boeing 767-300ERs.
Certain financial measures taken by some airlines have led to the indefinite suspension of their operations to the Czech Republic, such as American Airlines and Air Canada Rouge which have no plans to return to Prague (PRG) for the upcoming 2022 summer season.
Prior to the pandemic Prague (PRG) had 15 long-haul flights, but now only has Middle East connections from Dubai (DXB) and Doha (DOH). New charter flights to long-haul holiday destinations will be added for the northern winter season.
The recovery of the long-haul market remains an extremely important priority for Prague Airport (PRG).
A large part of the long-haul connections to the Czech Republic is served by major European hubs such as Amsterdam (AMS), Paris (CDG), Frankfurt (FRA), and London (LHR).
On the other hand, in view of the seasonal market trend, many airline operators prefer to connect to Prague (PRG) through code-sharing with their partners.
