A government Airbus A-319CJ broke down in October 2026 during a business mission of a Czech delegation to Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Because of the fault, the aircraft could not continue the journey. The delegation was led by Transport Minister Ivan Bednárik (for SPD).[1][2][3]
Course of the trip
The mission began on Sunday 11 October 2026 and included representatives of about twenty Czech companies, professional associations and research teams. The talks focused on rail and freight transport, logistics, urban and smart mobility, and aviation; the aim was to help Czech firms establish business contacts.[1][2][3]
According to the Blesk.cz website, the fault concerned the nose landing gear. The delegation of roughly thirty people travelled on a scheduled flight from Baku to Bishkek and was then to fly on a scheduled service via Almaty to Astana in Kazakhstan. Filip Medelský, spokesperson for the Ministry of Transport, said that the participants had gone without sleep and had meetings from the morning.[1][3]
Repair and return
Zdeňka Sobarňa Košvancová, spokeswoman for the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces, told the Czech News Agency that the fault had been remedied under the warranty claim procedure. A service organisation took part in the repair together with a local technical company. According to her, the aircraft is operational and has returned to the military airport in Prague 19.[3]
The delegation was to return on Friday 16 October 2026 on the second government Airbus, which was to arrive from the mission to India led by Deputy Prime Minister Karel Havlíček (for ANO).[3]
The government Airbuses
The two government Airbus A-319CJ aircraft have belonged to the army's air unit since 2007. Their interior fittings have become outdated and service support for them has ended. In December 2025, the board of Defence Minister Jaromír Zůna (for SPD) approved their modernisation at a cost of 1.17 billion crowns.[1][2][3]
Chronology
- — A government Airbus broke down during a Czech delegation's trip to Asia; Transport Minister Ivan Bednárik is to return with the delegation on the second government Airbus. iDNES.cz Lidovky.cz