Airlines are continuing to monitor China carefully, with SWISS International Air Lines planning its service to Shanghai.
SWISS Boeing 777-300ER taking off from Zurich Airport – Image, Economy Class and Beyond.
The move is a result of the easing in entry conditions for Mainland China.
SWISS will restart operations on the route from the 3rd of March 2023, starting with one flight a week between the two cities. Service on the route will then be expanded to three weekly frequencies from April onwards.
The flights will generally be operated using Boeing 777-300ER aircraft or Airbus A340-300.
The Zurich – Shanghai route has been operated primarily as a cargo route since the passenger service was suspended in April 2022.
Hong Kong service uplift too
SWISS will also be increasing its connectivity to Hong Kong, with the airline planning to increase its service from five to six weekly frequencies in the 2023 summer schedules.
In Quotes
SWISS Chief Commercial Officer Tamur Goudarzi Pour said:
“We’re delighted that we’ll soon be providing our customers with flights between Zurich and Shanghai again,”
“It’s a high priority for us to meet the demand that is now growing again for travel between these two major business centres and beyond. Shanghai remains one of the key points in our network in terms of both inbound and outbound travellers.”
An increased eye on mainland China
With SWISS joining the China flight club, it is worth bearing in mind that British Airways and Virgin Atlantic joined it last week – with other airlines carefully considering their options for the country.
SWISS’s approach is cautious – with it committing to up to three flights a week from April onwards. It’s a tester to see how demand is in the market and how it wants to proceed with its network over the next few months.
And judging by KLM’s next move… the move is well timed indeed.
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