Kuwait-based low-cost carrier Jazeera Airways will launch twice-weekly flights from Kuwait City to Prague between 17 December 2026 and 7 February 2027, marking the airline’s first winter operation on the route. Announced jointly with CzechTourism, the new service targets school-holiday leisure traffic and travellers drawn to Prague’s famous Christmas markets. The route has performed strongly in the summer since its 2021 debut, with average seat factors above 85 per cent, according to Jazeera Airways CEO Barathan Pasupathi. Extending the schedule into winter allows the carrier to sweat aircraft assets that would otherwise sit idle and gives Gulf passengers easier access to seasonal experiences—an increasingly popular niche for Middle-East outbound tourism. CzechTourism expects the flights to inject an additional CZK 80 million (EUR 3.3 million) into the capital’s visitor economy, benefitting hotels, retail and MICE venues during what is traditionally Prague’s shoulder season. Travel retailers serving corporate accounts may also see upside: Kuwait hosts over 300 Czech nationals employed mainly in the oil-services sector, while several Kuwaiti investment funds maintain real-estate holdings in Prague. A direct winter connection shortens travel times for executives overseeing those assets. For mobility managers the key takeaway is greater itinerary flexibility. Until now, passengers had to route via Istanbul or Doha in winter, adding at least three hours and one connection. The non-stop flight—operated with A320neo aircraft configured with business and economy cabins—cuts total journey time to under six hours and simplifies duty-of-care tracking. Should load factors mirror summer demand, Jazeera indicated it may transition the winter service from seasonal to year-round, aligning with the Czech government’s wider strategy to diversify inbound markets beyond the EU and the UK.
Source: Business Traveller
