Cork Airport is disappointed at the decision by CSA Czech Airlines not to proceed with its proposed new routes to Prague and Ibiza this summer.

The decision was taken following a review by Czech Airlines of the advance bookings for the new services, which were due to commence this month for the summer season and which we are advised had not met their sales expectations.

Both the Prague and Ibiza services were eligible for Cork Airport’s new route incentive scheme, meaning that Czech Airlines did not have to pay any passenger charges at Cork during the first year.

Cork Airport also made a marketing support fund available to Czech Airlines to advertise and promote the new services.

Niall MacCarthy, Managing Director at Cork Airport said he was disappointed at Czech Airlines’ decision not to proceed with the two services.

“Our team here at Cork Airport worked hard to secure these new routes for the region, but unfortunately, Czech Airlines has indicated that bookings were not strong enough to sustain the services for this summer. We will continue to work with Czech Airlines in the future to secure new sustainable services from Cork Airport."

Cork Airport, which is Ireland’s second largest airport, has scheduled services to 42 destinations this summer. The airport continues to work closely with existing airline customers and potential new partners to secure new routes and grow traffic at Cork Airport.

Czech Airlines Statement Re Planned Cork Routes

Czech Airlines has decided not to launch planned new services from Cork.
 
Earlier today, after thorough analysis, management at Czech Airlines decided not to launch its two-planned summer services from Cork: Cork–Prague and Cork–Ibiza. Passenger volumes and advanced bookings for both routes and from both key markets - the Czech and the Irish - did not match the company’s expectations and were not in line with the original estimates and calculations, despite intensive marketing and business support.

Unfortunately, the relatively short lead-in time for planned new routes made it difficult to generate sufficient sales for the services in Ireland and in the Czech Republic. On the basis of current bookings, launching the planned routes in 2015 summer season would not have been economically viable from Czech Airlines’ perspective. In spite of that, Czech Airlines considers the Irish market to be attractive with potential for the development of the company’s network.

Czech Airlines apologises to customers who may be affected by this decision. The company will authorise a free full refund of tickets that were issued for the Cork-Prague or Cork-Ibiza routes. The passengers for both routes can also contact the Czech Airlines Contact Centre at + 420 239 007 007.

Czech Airlines would like to thank Cork Airport for its generous support of these routes and looks forward to working with Cork Airport again in the future to build sustainable services and expand our route network.