SWISS to extend its bare-bone Geneva operation through March

Swiss International Air Lines recently announced it was to cut back its Geneva operation to the barest of operations. Well, it seems this is to be extended.

Swiss Bombardier Airbus A220-100 departing Zurich Airport – Image, Economy Class and Beyond

The operation was to remain in its bare-bone state until the end of February (28th of February). This has now been extended to the 27th of March 2021.

The airline will maintain a minimal operation out of the Geneva Hub (which primarily handled Origin and Destination traffic). They plan to operate

• 13 flights a week to Zurich (allowing connection to other SWISS flights)
• 7 flights a week to Frankfurt (allowing connection to Lufthansa flights).

SWISS is also planning a weekly flight between Geneva and Pristina.

Whilst SWISS remains committed to Geneva, it seems traffic has continued to decline due to Switzerland’s recently tightened travel restrictions – and the only way to save the hub is to cut it back to the bone.

if you’re affected, SWISS passengers can rebook free of charge or have the price of their ticket refunded.

Ticket easement goes to the end of May.

Announced a few days earlier, All fares – including the lowest Light fares with carry-on baggage only – can be rebooked free of charge as often as desired.

The flexible provisions, which were introduced at the end of August 2020, were originally applicable to (re)bookings up to the end of February 2021. This has now been extended, with all SWISS fares with tickets issued up to 31 May 2021 can be rebooked free of charge as often as desired if the rebooking is also made by then. After that, another rebooking is possible free of charge. This extended regulation also applies to all tickets issued until the end of August 2020.

A long road ahead

With countries effective closing borders and Geneva so dependant on O&D traffic, SWISS’s decision to strip Geneva down to the bare-bones seems to be a good one, by keeping the barest links alive, to ensure connectivity from between the major SWISS hubs.

How these hubs will recover in the longer term is something to watch.

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