‍DALLAS — CSA Czech Airlines (OK) will terminate its Skyteam membership on October 26. The Prague (PRG)- based carrier joined the alliance in 2001 and has been a member for almost 23 years. It will also cease to operate under its existing two-letter IATA airline code. 

It will begin operating under the airline code QS, which is used by Smartwings, its new parent company. OK’s departure from Skyteam is a consequence of the shift in ownership. A spokesperson from Skyteam confirmed OK’s exit from the alliance this week. QS does not have membership in any airline alliances.

"CSA Czech Airlines is ceasing operations in line with its current scheduled services. As a natural consequence, CSA Czech Airlines' Skyteam membership will be terminated, effective October 26, 2024," a Skyteam spokesperson said.

CSA to Operate under Smartwings 

Earlier this year, QS announced that OK would fall under it. On October 27, QS will thus become the Czech national carrier’s holding company. At the same time, all OK’s flight operations will be transferred to Smartwings' Czech, Polish, Hungarian, and Slovak AOCs. The PRG-based carrier’s brand, website, and distribution channels will continue. 

CSA currently has a fleet comprising two Airbus A320-200 aircraft. These are used to service OK’s two scheduled routes. Using these aircraft, it offers weekly flights to Paris (CDG) and Madrid (MAD). However, one of these planes is being used to operate flights for QS.

The carrier plans to expand its fleet. It intends to acquire four A220-300 aircraft later this year. These will be added once the airline operates services under the QS code. Due to its limited operations, OK’s exit from Skyteam is not expected to impact significantly.

"Given Czech Airlines' current limited schedule and network, there will be little overall impact on Skyteam's global customer offering," the spokesperson said.