Smartwings Expands Direct Flights to the Azores

Smartwings is set to enhance its summer flight schedule with more direct connections from Prague to the Azores.

Starting April 1, the airline will operate three weekly flights to São Miguel, the largest island in the Atlantic archipelago. Flights will depart from Prague on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Last year, Smartwings carried over 15,000 passengers on its Prague-Ponta Delgada route. This year, the airline aims to double that number.

The route, launched last spring, was the first direct connection between Prague and the Azores, eliminating the need for layovers. Flights are operated by a Boeing 737 with a 189-seat capacity.

Smartwings anticipates strong demand for the upcoming summer season and plans to increase capacity across multiple routes.

During the 2025 summer schedule, the airline will fly from six Czech airports to approximately 80 destinations. Additional flights are planned for several key locations, including Madrid, Madeira, Lanzarote, Cagliari, Olbia, Lamezia Terme, Thessaloniki, Tirana, and Tel Aviv.

Passengers traveling to the Canary Islands—Tenerife and Gran Canaria—will also have the option to book business class for added comfort.

Fleet Expansion and Operational Growth

Smartwings continues to modernize and expand its fleet. In January, the airline welcomed its 11th Boeing 737 MAX 8. By June, the current 47-aircraft fleet is expected to grow by five additional planes.

While the airline primarily operates from the Czech Republic, it also runs flights from Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary.

Record Passenger Numbers

In 2024, 8.3 million passengers flew with Smartwings. Of these, 6.5 million traveled on regular and charter flights, a 20.1% year-on-year increase. This figure surpasses pre-pandemic levels by 16.3%. Additionally, Smartwings carried 1.85 million passengers on flights operated for other airlines.

The airline conducted 53,338 flights in 2024, marking an 11% increase from the previous year. Smartwings aircraft landed at 318 airports worldwide, further solidifying its position as a leading carrier in the region.

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