Edelweiss builds a house of hope

Edelweiss has been flying directly to San José since May 2017. The leading Swiss leisure airline is keen to acknowledge that poverty is a part of everyday life in Costa Rica—as in other beautiful holiday destinations. For Edelweiss, social responsibility doesn't stop at the Swiss border. For example, 23 employees, together with CEO Bernd Bauer, donated a house to a family in a poor neighborhood of San José—built with their own hands.

Social responsibility – two big words, especially for an airline that flies its guests to beautiful destinations all over the world. Destinations where poverty is sometimes a bitter reality. For Edelweiss, practicing corporate social responsibility means not just turning a blind eye to this reality – but actively getting involved to make a difference.

A home for a family
A delegation from Edelweiss traveled to San José to provide concrete assistance: The holiday airline's employees built a house for a family in a poor neighborhood for the "Homes of Hope" project.

In two days, the team of three Edelweiss pilots, nine flight attendants, and 12 office staff transformed 35 plasterboards, 120 brick panels, 1,000 nails, and 200 screws into a new home. CEO Bernd Bauer was at the forefront of the project. "We didn't just build a house here, we gave a family a future," said Bauer. "And, along the way, strengthened our own team spirit."

Their new home can help break the cycle of poverty for the affected family. Edelweiss is proud and happy to have contributed to this hope.

Breaking the cycle of poverty
Edelweiss is committed to the project as part of "help alliance," the Lufthansa Group's aid organization. Money is also being collected on board its aircraft—for example, "leftover" coins in foreign currencies. But simply collecting money isn't enough for the leading Swiss leisure airline. It's because it's aware of its responsibility. And because corporate social responsibility doesn't stop at the Swiss border.