AGP Executive Report

Aviation Deal: Pegasus Airlines has completed its acquisition of Czech Airlines and the Smartwings Group after regulatory approvals, creating a bigger combined network and keeping Smartwings/Czech Airlines brands in place—good news for leisure travellers watching Czech connections. Pet-Friendly Prague: Prague ranks sixth in Accor’s “European Dog Travel Index 2026,” praised for dog-friendly dining, green space and off-leash options like Stromovka and Letná. Football & Travel Mood: Spain beat Czechia 3-1 in the Nations League, with Lamine Yamal scoring early; meanwhile England’s 7-0 rout of Croatia in Rijeka came with a subdued stadium due to a fan ban, but still drew attention from schoolchildren and travelling supporters. Prague Visitor Planning: A travel guide highlights how first-timers can get a fuller Prague experience by sequencing three well-ordered days from an Old Town base. Halloween Ideas: Europe’s “most haunted” pick is Edinburgh, with Halloween travel searches up sharply—useful inspiration for Czech travellers planning spooky breaks.

Nations League & Czechia ties: England crushed Croatia 7-0 in Rijeka as Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka both scored twice, with Jude Bellingham also starring; the same international break has Czechia in the spotlight too, with Spain beating Czech Republic 3-1 and England set to face Czech Republic again at Wembley after their Prague win. Behind-closed-doors match rules: Croatia–England is largely empty due to UEFA sanctions after crowd trouble in 2025, but thousands of local schoolchildren are allowed in, creating a strange “closed doors” atmosphere. Prague travel culture: Depeche Mode fans are flocking to Prague’s Charles Bridge to recreate the band’s 1988 Pietà photo, with queues turning the landmark into a pop-culture stop. Northern Czechia ideas: A travel feature highlights how first-timers can pair Prague with Northern Czechia’s sandstone landscapes, forest trails, towns, and thermal wellness—plus a cross-border add-on to Saxon Switzerland. Air travel & holidays: Jet2 announced new winter 2027/28 Christmas market flights from London Stansted, including Prague and Vienna, with multiple weekly departures. Diplomacy: Czechia will keep its diplomatic mission in Kyiv despite Russian warnings of massive strikes.

Prague City Life & Culture: Depeche Mode fans are turning Prague’s Charles Bridge into a pop-culture stop, lining up at the Pietà sculpture to recreate the band’s 1988 Anton Corbijn photo—an attraction that’s surged after recent social media posts. Tourism & Attractions: Prague’s renovated Industrial Palace (Průmyslový palác) is set for free public open days on 17–18 October after guided tours sold out fast, giving visitors a rare look inside the historic venue. Wellbeing Getaway: Františkovy Lázně is drawing attention for its UNESCO spa-town vibe and town-wide wellbeing focus, with a recent visit tied to the Women’s Rebellion festivities. Air Travel & Connectivity: Pegasus Airlines has completed its acquisition of Czech Airlines and Smartwings, combining fleets of 175+ aircraft and aiming to expand leisure and European routes. Travel Planning for Winter: Jet2 is pushing major Christmas market capacity for winter 2027/28, including routes to Prague and other festive hubs, with hundreds of thousands of seats already on sale. Local Governance (Travel Impact): Czech President Petr Pavel will miss local elections in Černouček due to a private trip, a reminder that schedules can shift even for high-profile visitors.

Christmas Market Routes: Jet2 is ramping up winter travel with new 2027/28 Christmas market city breaks, adding major options for Prague fans including routes from multiple UK airports (with Prague, Vienna, Cologne and more on sale now, plus 82 routes from 13 bases and hundreds of thousands of seats). Prague Visitor Trend: Charles Bridge is seeing a fresh tourist ritual—fans queue to recreate Depeche Mode’s 1988 Pietà photo, turning the landmark into a pop-culture stop. Airline Connectivity: Pegasus has completed the acquisition of Czech Airlines and Smartwings, a move that could reshape Czech travel capacity and schedules. EU Border Rules: The new EU EES biometric entry/exit system is causing delays for some travellers, with Czechia among participating countries—important for anyone planning autumn/winter trips. Tourism Promotion: Czech journalists visited Central Greece to spotlight sites like Delphi and local experiences, aiming to boost Czech demand for the region.

EU Border Rules (EES): New EES biometric entry/exit checks are now in force for most UK travellers visiting Schengen, with Czechia among the participating countries—passport stamps are phased out, and queues are expected to return unless airports adapt. Prague Mobility: Bolt has added Prague ride options that let passengers request Czech- or English-speaking drivers at the same price as standard rides. Aviation Deal: Pegasus Airlines has completed its acquisition of Czech Airlines and Smartwings, creating a Central Europe aviation group with 175+ aircraft and 140 more on order, while Smartwings keeps its brand for now. Tourism Spotlight (Central Greece): Three Czech journalists visited Central Greece (Delphi, Thermopylae, Chalkida, local honey and weaving) to promote sustainable tourism to the Czech market. Travel & Culture (Prague): A new “Sound of Ibiza” party is set for Oct 17, 2027, bringing DJs and an immersive laser show to OX Club in Prague. Food Tourism: BioMania Zagreb was named among the world’s top 10 vegan/vegetarian restaurants in Tripadvisor’s Best of the Best 2026 list. Beer Tourism: Prague hosted the 16th “Pinkasova noční můra” beer-pouring race, with Petr Holec winning on home soil.

Prague Mobility: Bolt has added Czech- and English-speaking driver options in Prague at the same price as standard rides, with language requests handled inside the app and participation voluntary for drivers. Aviation Deal: Turkish low-cost carrier Pegasus has completed its acquisition of Czech Airlines and the Smartwings Group, creating a Central Europe aviation group with 175+ aircraft and 140 orders; Smartwings will keep operating under its brand. Tourism Demand Watch: Hungary saw a drop in tourism stays in August, with guest nights down 5.8% year-on-year to 6.916 million, driven by a 9.3% fall in foreign guest nights. Food & Travel Buzz: Zagreb’s 100% plant-based BioMania Bistro has been named among Tripadvisor’s “Best of the Best” top 10 vegan/vegetarian restaurants worldwide. Travel Culture: Prague is set for an “Ibiza-inspired” club night in April 2027, promising DJs, immersive visuals and tropical-themed spaces. Outdoor & Adventure: Nepal issued autumn climbing permits to 648 mountaineers from 69 countries for 20 peaks, including Manaslu as the most popular target.

Prague Waste Watch: Prague City Hall and INCIEN found about one ton of rubbish is thrown away daily on Wenceslas Square, with beverage packaging and disposable food items leading, plus food waste like trdelník—helping authorities compare peak-season tourist waste with winter. Nations League in Prague: England beat 10-man Czechia 2-0 in Prague as Pavel Sulc was sent off; Trent Alexander-Arnold impressed with a key assist for Anthony Gordon, then Harry Kane sealed it. Blood Donation Push: Czech hospitals, including in Prague, report critically low blood supplies and are urging people to donate, with platelet donors especially needed at IKEM. Air Connectivity Update: Eurowings expands its Winter 2026/27 network, adding Baghdad with two weekly flights from Berlin and Düsseldorf and boosting Middle East links including Prague connections. Travel Deals: Interrail launches a flash sale with up to 50% off rail passes across 33 countries, available only until Oct. 1. Smart Retail in Hungary: Szeged opens Hungary’s first staffless supermarket, switching to automated shopping after staffed hours via QR entry and app-based checkout. Tourism Climbing Permits: Nepal issued autumn permits to 648 mountaineers from 69 countries, including climbers from the Czech Republic.

Prague Tourism & Waste: Prague City Hall and INCIEN analyzed bins on Wenceslas Square and found about one ton of waste dumped there daily during peak summer tourist traffic, with beverage packaging (about a third), disposable food-service items (about a third) and general household waste (about a third) leading the mix, plus recurring food waste including trdelník. Prague Health & Travel Disruption: Czech hospitals in Prague are warning of critically low blood supplies and urging people to donate, with some transfusion centers near minimum safe levels and IKEM seeking platelet donors. Air Travel to Prague: Emirates will bring back the Airbus A380 to Prague from Oct 1, adding Premium Economy on the Dubai route. Rail Deals for Europe: Interrail launched a flash sale with up to 50% off passes covering travel across 33 countries, running until Oct 1. Czech Tourism Context: A Czech tourist story also highlights how students and visitors are still choosing structured trips that end in Prague’s historic sights like Charles Bridge and the Old Town Square. Local Safety & Incidents: Reports also surfaced of men found hiding under beds at five-star Czech hotels, raising questions about staff response.

Nations League in Prague: England got their first points in UEFA Nations League Group A3 with a 2-0 win over Czechia at Fortuna Arena, after Pavel Šulc was sent off in the 25th minute. Match highlights: Anthony Gordon opened the scoring early in the second half with a header from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s pass, and Harry Kane doubled the lead in the 69th minute as England controlled the game and saw it out professionally. Next fixtures: England now head to face Croatia on 3 October before hosting Czechia on 6 October, while Czechia look to bounce back after the opening loss to Croatia. Travel angle for fans: Czechia’s “Czechia” name appears on match branding, with the short form adopted officially in 2016 for global use. Tourism-adjacent note: A separate report highlights a €600,000 TUI marketing push aimed at UK holidaymakers—useful context for how European destinations are competing for British travel demand.

Prague & Wembley 30-year throwback: The Czech Republic is set to return to Wembley on Oct. 6, 30 years after Euro ’96, with Nations League matches against England in Prague first—an easy hook for fans planning a sports trip to Czechia. Prague matchday travel angle: England head to Prague’s Fortuna Arena after a 3-2 Wembley loss to Spain, with the short turnaround and possible injury doubts (Ezri Konsa, Nico O’Reilly) likely to shape who’s on the pitch. Winter flights & Czech travel demand: Smartwings is cutting its Prague winter schedule, including suspending Prague–Valencia and reducing Spain services, while also pausing Prague–Nice until spring 2027—useful for anyone booking autumn/winter breaks. Budget inspiration for Czechia visitors: A deal roundup highlights cheap flights to Prague for Christmas markets (from £22 one-way), pushing the city as a winter getaway. Rail travel deals: Interrail Passes are advertised with up to 50% off until Sept. 30, including a 33-country option—another nudge for multi-stop European trips.

Prague Travel & Transport: Smartwings is trimming its winter schedule from Prague, cutting several Spain routes (including Valencia, Málaga, Barcelona and Mallorca) and pausing Nice until spring 2027, while Eurowings cancels planned Madeira flights—good news for travellers, but fewer options in the colder months. Air Connectivity: Czech booking portal Letuška.cz says autumn conditions from Prague look favorable thanks to new long-haul capacity, with direct Asia links helping demand; STARLUX’s Prague–Taipei service is highlighted as a time-saving alternative to Middle East transfers. Rail & Deals: Interrail Passes are advertised up to 50% off (sale ends Sept 30), with a month youth pass priced around £227 for up to 33 countries—aimed at budget multi-country trips. Sports Tourism (Czechia vs England): England head to Prague for the Nations League match on Tuesday night, with Ezri Konsa and Nico O’Reilly both listed as doubts after missing training. Local Culture & Free Days: Prague is set for free October events, plus free admission at the National Gallery on Oct 3–4 and Oct 28 (Czech Independence Day). Tourism Demand Signals: Sarajevo Canton reports strong mid-year 2026 tourism growth, with foreign arrivals up and Czech visitors among the rising markets.

Farewell Tour in Prague: Rod Stewart has announced “The Final Encore,” his last-ever tour, with a Prague stop at O2 Arena on 24 June 2027—alongside major UK and European dates. Free Prague Culture: Prague is lining up free October highlights, including National Gallery Prague free entry on 3–4 October and again on 28 October (with free access to selected permanent exhibitions). Saint Wenceslas & Statehood Day: 28 September brings Czech Statehood Day and Saint Wenceslas commemorations, including preparations for the Stará Boleslav pilgrimage and the arrival of the saint’s skull. Nations League Focus on Czechia: England’s Nations League return to Czechia is set after Spain’s 3-2 comeback win over England at Wembley; attention now turns to the Czech Republic match in Prague. Czech Sports Pride: Czech women’s tennis stars Linda Nosková and Karolína Muchová have teamed up to win the Billie Jean King Cup for Czechia, beating Ukraine 2-0 in the final. Travel Logistics: Prague Airport is introducing new traffic routing from Sunday, aiming to improve flow for travellers.

Nations League Focus: Spain kicked off the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League with a dramatic 3-2 comeback win over England at sold-out Wembley, extending La Roja’s unbeaten run to 39 matches; Lamine Yamal scored early, England hit back through Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane, but substitutes Álex Baena and Mikel Oyarzabal turned it around, with Kane’s missed penalty a key turning point. Czechia Angle: England now head to Prague for the next Nations League test, with Czechia bottom in the group after opening results; Croatia also started with a 2-1 win over Czechia in Prague, as Luka Modrić scored and Adam Karabec equalised before Marco Pašalić’s late winner. Local Travel & Transport: Prague Václav Havel Airport road access will change from Sunday due to further works at the Aviatická–Lipská junction, with diversions expected until late November. Sports Tourism Spotlight: Czech tennis stars Linda Noskova and Karolina Muchova teamed up to win the Billie Jean King Cup for Czechia, beating Ukraine 2-0—another feel-good moment for fans heading to Czech events. Tech & Industry: ŠKODA JS will supply critical nuclear reactor regulation systems for Rolls-Royce SMR, reinforcing Czech engineering links with major energy projects.

Prague Airport Disruption: From Sunday, new traffic routing will affect access to Prague Václav Havel Airport during reconstruction at the Aviatická–Lipská junction, expected to run until 30 November 2026. Czech Sport & Tourism Spotlight: Croatia kicked off the UEFA Nations League in Prague with a 2-1 win over Czechia, with Luka Modrić scoring and Slaven Bilić returning to the bench. International Match Viewing for Visitors: Czechia vs Croatia is set to be shown for free on CT Sport in the Czech Republic and Nova TV in Croatia, with additional free streaming options mentioned for the US. Travel Demand & Visas: Qatar approved free 90-day multiple-entry tourist visas for passport holders from 34 countries (only Seychelles included in Africa), while China introduced 240-hour visa-free transit for citizens of 55 countries, including the Czech Republic. Rail Modernisation: Škoda will supply eight electric trains to Slovakia’s ZSSK for long-distance services, with deliveries planned for 2032–2033.

Prague Airport Upgrade: Prague Airport and the Czech Interior Ministry are adding measures to speed up border checks for non‑Schengen arrivals after the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), with staff support and revised passenger routes aimed at cutting delays—especially where travellers don’t finish self-service registration. Taxi Rules for Cities: The Chamber of Deputies has approved a framework letting Czech municipalities set stricter local requirements for taxi drivers, including Czech-language and local-knowledge tests, with the Senate now to consider the change. Czech Football on TV: Czechia vs Croatia in the UEFA Nations League is set to be shown live for free on CT Sport in Czechia and Nova TV in Croatia, with additional free viewing options mentioned for the US. Travel Visas Watch: Qatar has published a list of 34 countries eligible for a free 90-day multiple-entry tourist visa; Seychelles is the only African country named. Tourism Numbers Abroad: Albania reported 9.44 million foreign visitors in Jan–Aug, up 5.3% year-on-year, though August growth slowed. Culture & Film: Prague Film School alumni are highlighted for international film breakthroughs, with multiple projects tied to the school gaining global attention.

Airport & Border Flow: Prague Airport and the Czech Interior Ministry are adding measures to speed up border checks for non-EU arrivals after the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), focusing on smoother passenger processing from self-service registration to passport control. Local Rules for Visitors: A new legal framework would let Czech municipalities set their own language and local-knowledge requirements for taxi drivers, with Prague MPs pushing the change now awaiting Senate review. Travel Visas Watch: Qatar has published a list of 34 nationalities eligible for a free 90-day, multiple-entry tourist visa, with conditions like at least six months’ passport validity and proof of onward travel. Night Trains Upgrade: Europe’s overnight rail is getting a makeover, with new sleeper concepts featuring private rooms and double-deck layouts as night-train demand grows. Czech Statehood Day Practicalities: For Czech Statehood Day on Monday, 28 September, large shops over 200 sq m must close, while smaller shops may open and there are exceptions for airports, stations and pharmacies.