EU may cover up to 75 percent of Czech repatriation flight costs

The European Union could cover up to 75 percent of the cost of repatriation flights bringing Czech citizens home from the Middle East. The Czech government has asked the European Commission to help finance the flights through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš confirmed the request to Czech Radio, while the Commission also verified that the mechanism had been activated. The support is conditional on Prague offering spare seats to citizens of other EU countries. It is not yet clear which specific flights will qualify. Several other countries, including Slovakia, France and Italy, have also asked Brussels for similar assistance.