The new direct flight between Philadelphia and Prague represents a significant step not only for tourism, but above all for the development of trade, investment, and technological relations between the Czech Republic and the United States.
The ceremonial launch of the new route took place on May 19 at the prestigious Union League of Philadelphia, attended by representatives from the public and private sectors of both countries.
The new air service comes at a time when trade relations between the Czech Republic and the United States are continuing to strengthen. In the last five years alone, exports from the Czech Republic to Pennsylvania (Philadelphia is the state’s largest city) have increased by 23 percent to more than $580 million.
The event was jointly organized by CzechInvest, Prague Airport, CzechTourism, the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in New York, the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Washington, and American Airlines.
Speaking on behalf of CzechInvest was Jiří Maňák, Director of the New York Foreign Office, who presented the Czech investment and business environment and opportunities for American investors and companies seeking partners in Central Europe. The program also featured a presentation by Walter Banta of Brentwood Industries, a company that has been operating in the Czech Republic for many years and is a prime example of successful Czech-American industrial cooperation.
CzechInvest played a key role in organizing the event, primarily by reaching out to chambers of commerce, corporate partners, and other representatives of the region’s business community.
The new Philadelphia–Prague route is another important step toward deepening relations between the Czech Republic and the United States. In addition to more convenient travel, it opens up new opportunities for trade, investment, and corporate cooperation on both sides of the Atlantic, which may contribute to further growth in mutual economic exchange in the long term.
The regular long-haul route is in operation daily through October 5 of this year. The carrier is operating the route with a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner long-haul aircraft with a total capacity of 234 seats. The direct flight from Philadelphia departs at 6:00 p.m. local time and arrives in Prague the following day at 8:15 a.m. The return flight from Prague departs at 10:15 a.m. and arrives in Philadelphia at 1:05 p.m. local time.
To promote the new route, the CzechTourism office in the U.S. organized a series of promotional and networking events in Philadelphia aimed at showcasing the Czech Republic as an attractive tourist destination. The program included, for example, the event „From Cheesesteaks to Czechia – Now Nonstop from Philadelphia to Prague,” which, with significant support from Prague Airport and in cooperation with the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in New York, the CzechInvest agency, and American Airlines, brought together representatives from the tourism, business, media, and community sectors. The goal was to present the Czech Republic not only as an attractive tourist destination but also as an interesting partner for trade and new investments.
