Czech Airlines to rollout new uniforms in 2007

Czeck Airlines employees displaying their uniforms above

Prague, December 29, 2006

As a new year gift, Czech Airlines' (ČSA) staff will be greeting its customers in their new uniforms. After more than 9 years, the national carrier had decided to change the design of its uniforms and its two-and-a-half-thousand employees are about to get a new elegant look.

The new uniforms and their accessories are in the airline's colours – blue, red and white – and it is hoped that their bold designs will make it easier for passengers to identify the staff that is taking care of them during their air travels.

The domestic apparel manufacturer OP Prostějov was the winning bidder in the spring 2005 tender for the supply of these new uniforms.

Besides choosing a new elegant design, the selection of the new uniforms also involved considerations such as the comfort and any health impact on the wearer, water resistance, durability, a wrinkle-free appearance, colour fastness and tear resistance. The initial designs for the uniforms underwent several months of testing in all primary operating areas of the company's operations.

The main element of the uniform is a dark blue suit evoking a natural air of authority and professionalism. The rudimentary appearance of the blue colour is softened with red accents, which give the uniform a dynamic look and make it visible in crowded airport environments.

A variety of accessories are also used to differentiate between the different staff positions. Pilots wear a gold-coloured necktie and the staff of VIP services wears uniforms with silver-coloured accessories.

The designers paid a great deal of attention to even the smallest details and the decorative aspects of the new designs. An important decorative element is the diamond shaped symbol, the primary graphic identity logo for Czech Airlines. Its shape can be seen in the lines of the uniforms' cut, on the printed design on the scarves, shirts and on the buttons for the jackets. The sparkling Swarovski stones that decorate the women's jacket pockets have also been a successful part of the new designs.

Czech Airlines introduced its first uniforms back in the 1920's, shortly after the start-up of the airline. The use of uniforms slowly spread from pilots to stewards and, by today, the use of uniforms includes check-in staff, ticket agents, security officers, technicians and other ground service workers.

The new collection from the workshop of OP Prostějov features not just a modern design and cut for both men and women and people of different ages but most importantly, a standardised type of uniform for all airline staff that are in regular contact with our customers.

For the last three years, ČSA has been selected as the “Best Airline Based in Central/Eastern Europe - 2004, 2005 and 2006”. This title is awarded annually by the Official Airline Guide (OAG) and is based on the votes of frequent business travellers.