Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has recently asserted more control over the usage of government aircraft, which is now under his direct authority. This decision followed a government session and marks a significant change in protocol regarding how government officials travel. President Petr Pavel responded to this intervention during a state visit to Latvia, expressing his concerns about the implications of such a change on the operational efficiency of constitutional authorities. He characterized the new decision as unnecessary and potentially disruptive to established practices.

President Pavel, who was made aware of the policy shift while touring Bauska Castle in Latvia, stated that the existing protocol had long required any flight requests from constitutional officials to first be submitted to the army and the Ministry of Defense for approval. Following their endorsement, these requests would then be presented to the government for final approval, a process that traditionally included the Prime Minister's oversight. Despite acknowledging the procedural change, Pavel did not see a significant difference in the end result, suggesting that the previous system was already well-functioning.

Pavel's remarks not only reflect his discontent with the government's new directive but also highlight the ongoing tension between the presidency and the prime minister's office. The impact of Babiš's decision has already been felt, slightly altering Pavel's travel plans for an upcoming visit to the Baltic states. This situation underscores the complexities involved in the interactions between different branches of Czech government and raises questions about the balance of power and the autonomy of officials when it comes to state affairs.