Edelweiss temporarily parks two aircraft at Dübendorf airfield and applies for short-time work
Due to the extraordinary circumstances caused by the spread of the coronavirus and the associated significant decline in bookings, Edelweiss is forced to drastically reduce its flight network. Therefore, Edelweiss will temporarily park two short-haul aircraft at Dübendorf Airport and apply for short-time work for its entire staff.
Due to the significantly reduced flight network, Edelweiss, in consultation with the federal government and the Air Force, as well as its sister company Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS), will temporarily park two of its ten Airbus A320 aircraft at Dübendorf Airport. The overflights are expected to take place tomorrow, Thursday. The Edelweiss fleet consists of 16 aircraft. In long-haul operations, there are four Airbus A340 and two Airbus A330, while ten Airbus A320 are in use for short and medium-haul flights.
Edelweiss applies for short-time work
Due to the significantly reduced production, Edelweiss is applying for short-time work for all staff in close coordination with the authorities. The extent for the individual employee groups is currently being developed. Edelweiss CEO Bernd Bauer: “Due to the very dynamic situation and the unclear effects on our company, we are forced to apply for short-time work as a means of securing liquidity, despite a robust setup. This measure has been developed in close and constructive collaboration with the social partners.”
Edelweiss employs 1,124 staff, including 260 cockpit crew members, 683 cabin crew members, and 181 ground staff.
Repatriation of Swiss tourists abroad has priority
In addition to currently a few regular flights, Edelweiss is currently focusing on flying as many Swiss tourists from Edelweiss destinations that can no longer be regularly served back to Switzerland. In many countries, it has been possible to obtain special permits for these flights. This includes, for example, Egypt, Morocco, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, and the Canary Islands. Depending on the regulatory requirements of the destination, the respective outbound flights are conducted without passengers, while the return flights bring passengers back to Switzerland.
Edelweiss has also signaled to the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (EDA) that it is ready to conduct dedicated repatriation flights in close cooperation.
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