With Swiss International Air Lines’ (SWISS) integration into the Lufthansa Group, the airline can now put a successful summer behind it, having stayed on top by providing effortless travel schemes while also retaining the SWISS identity as national carrier for Switzerland.
“We have experienced a marked improvement in our performance figures in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman, while the UAE has sustained a level record,” said Felix Rodel, Area Manager, Middle East and Africa. “We have worked hard to prepare packages that fit our passengers’ summer vacation needs, and together with Lufthansa we have been able to provide our customers a more comprehensive and flexible service.”
Switzerland has long been a favourite destination with Saudi residents, and this summer has seen seat load factors increase to an average of 94% over June/July/August, the three month summer period.
Passengers travelling on either airline from the Kingdom have been able to benefit from a single price structure, whereby travellers can opt to journey one way on SWISS, and the other on Lufthansa. Additionally, passengers have been able to enjoy a choice of six flights a week between both Riyadh and Jeddah.
In partnership with Lufthansa, SWISS will now introduce a 4th frequency, starting from 2. December 2006, which would ensure that each day of the week is covered.
Oman also reports a very successful summer with a significant increase in First and Business Class sales. The ‘Swiss Experience’ packages that made it possible for Omani residents to travel with ease to favourable European destinations like Grindelwald, Zermatt, St. Moritz and Disneyland Paris, to name a few, have continued to attract travellers from the Sultanate.
UAE results remained steady with the Dubai route operating a seat load factor of around 85 percent for the summer travel period.
“SWISS can report a successful summer overall, and will use the remainder of the year to focus on offering value packages and promotions,” concluded Rodel.
On a worldwide note, SWISS is to acquire a further two Airbus A321 and an additional Airbus A320 aircraft next spring for its European fleet. The deployment of the three additional short-haul aircraft on feeder routes within Europe will also help keep seat load factors high on the carrier’s intercontinental services. The integration of these Airbus aircraft will strengthen SWISS’ position in the growing European market, and keep the carrier on its current course of sustainable growth.
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