CSA Czech Airlines Looking at Possible Expansion in North America

CSA Czech Airlines said it will likely grow its North American presence following a profitable 2004 and first-half of 2005.

Although details were not available at press time, the Prague-based carrier already has added an extra flight to Newark, N.J., along with service within Eastern Europe to Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina; Skopje, Macedonia; and Minsk, Belarus.

CSA acquired 10 new aircraft in 2004, helping fuel profits of nearly $23 million and passenger growth of almost 21 percent, to 4.34 million, for the year.

In addition, CSA will introduce electronic ticketing -- already in place in its sales offices -- for travel agencies and other travel partners come October.