Czech Ambassador to 'Al-Jarida': I Aim to Realize My Dream of Year-Round Direct Flights Between Kuwait and Prague
Ambassador Juraj Chmela emphasizes the importance of Jazeera Airways' direct flights to enhance tourism and trade between Kuwait and the Czech Republic
Translated by Qiyas from الجريدة — Original source
The Czech Ambassador to Kuwait, Juraj Chmela, affirmed that operating direct flights between Kuwait and Prague during the winter season, from December 17 next year to February 7, “constitutes an important step to enhance bilateral relations in the fields of tourism, medical treatment, trade, investment, education, and cultural exchange.”
In an interview with Al-Jarida, Chmela stated that Jazeera Airways has decided to operate direct flights to Prague during the winter season, expressing his hope that this move would contribute to increasing the number of Kuwaiti visitors to his country, while also encouraging more Czech tourists to visit Kuwait.
He added that the significance of direct flights extends beyond tourism, facilitating the movement of businessmen and enhancing commercial and investment exchanges, in addition to providing more comfortable travel options for passengers. He clarified that the direct flight takes less than five hours, compared to journeys that may last nine, ten, or twelve hours when accounting for layovers and transit times.
He noted that visitors can enjoy winter activities such as ice skating and downhill skiing, before relaxing in the thermal resorts and therapeutic spas for which his country is famous. He emphasized that Czech tourism offers diverse experiences that combine nature, history, and relaxation.
He pointed out that Czech cities known for their health and therapeutic resorts hold a special place in the hearts of many Kuwaitis, who have long relied on the professional services provided by these facilities across generations, expressing his hope that these ties will be strengthened in the future.
Chmela said, “I have a dream of establishing year-round direct flights between Kuwait and my country, and I am working to realize it. It seems I am not the only one sharing this dream; I have received support from government officials and the business community in Kuwait.” He noted that “direct flights would push bilateral cooperation to broader levels, whether in trade, investment, education, or cultural exchange,” adding that the fifth round of political consultations between the two countries, hosted recently by Prague, served as an important tool for strengthening political ties and discussing ways to develop cooperation in various fields, including public diplomacy and people-to-people contacts.
The ambassador reviewed the historical milestones of relations between the two countries, explaining that Czechoslovakia recognized the State of Kuwait in 1961, established diplomatic relations with it in 1963, and opened its embassy there in 1965.
He affirmed that bilateral relations have seen continuous development in multiple fields, highlighting his country’s support for Kuwait during its liberation war from the Iraqi invasion as part of the “Desert Storm” operation, and stressing that the Czech Republic continues to support Kuwait at present.
Chmela expressed his hope that the difficult conditions currently affecting the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, particularly Kuwait, due to Iranian aggression, would soon come to an end. He affirmed that Kuwait deserves to enjoy peace and stability and to welcome more visitors.
He concluded by saying he hopes that direct flights will increase the number of tourists from the Czech Republic to Kuwait, while also encouraging Kuwaitis to visit his country. He emphasized that the doors of the Czech Republic remain open to Kuwaiti visitors even during periods when direct flights are not available, requiring travel via connecting flights.
