In addition, Edelweiss is adjusting its services in the upcoming winter flight schedule 2026/27: Flights to Muscat and Salalah in Oman will not be operated.

The adjustments are primarily due to the ongoing effects of the geopolitical situation, particularly in connection with the Middle East conflict, the development of fuel prices, and declining demand for certain destinations in the USA.

Affected passengers will be contacted by Edelweiss or their booking agent. They will be rebooked on alternative flights, primarily via other Lufthansa Group hubs, or will receive a full refund of the ticket price upon request.

Edelweiss regrets the inconvenience and thanks you for your understanding.

Edelweiss Air AG had been founded just a few months earlier, on October 19, 1995, by Kuoni Reisen AG and Niklaus Grob. Grob became the first CEO of the fledgling airline, whose fleet at that time consisted of two McDonnell Douglas MD-83s. Edelweiss officially commenced operations with its inaugural flight to Larnaca.

To mark its 30th anniversary, Edelweiss celebrated its origins today with a special flight to Larnaca. Guests were greeted with a sweet surprise upon arrival at Larnaca Airport.

The inaugural flight laid the foundation for the airline's continuous development. Today, Edelweiss connects Switzerland with over 100 holiday destinations in Europe, Africa, North and Central America, and the Indian Ocean. Larnaca is still served year-round, and even daily from April to October.

With today's anniversary, Edelweiss looks back on the moment when it all began and at the same time sets a sign for the future: The first flight to Larnaca in 1996 was the starting signal for 30 years of Swiss holiday flying.

The campaign centers on the idea that the journey doesn't end upon landing, but rather truly begins there. Edelweiss focuses on what travelers discover, learn, and experience at their destination – and how they return home with a backpack full of memories and positive feelings.

A ubiquitous symbol reinterpreted, creating a more approachable visual world
A distinctive visual element of the campaign is a newly designed location pin. Unlike classic location markers, it doesn't simply show a point on a map, but rather symbolically represents what a destination means to people on a personal level and what it evokes in them.

The visual language has also been further developed: it is closer to people, their emotions, and genuine moments – warm, authentic, and inspiring. The campaign builds on the well-known Edelweiss campaigns "Been there, done that" and "Leave. Love." and consistently continues their narrative.

“The new visual language evokes emotions. It’s not just about the destination, but about what we want to experience. We return from our holidays with memories and positive feelings,” says Nina Wach, Head of Brand Management and Marketing Communications at Edelweiss. “With ‘Every Pin a Story,’ Edelweiss is consistently continuing its journey from airline brand to travel brand.”

Visible in many places
"Every Pin a Story" comprises ten image motifs showcasing various destination clusters from Northern Europe to Asia. These are prominently displayed in public spaces, on mega-posters, and permanently at the airport. The campaign is complemented by over 50 destination motifs, which are presented online along the inspiration, decision, and booking stages.

People responsible for the campaign
Responsible at Edelweiss: Bernd Bauer (Chief Executive Officer), Patrick Heymann (Chief Commercial Officer), Nina Wach (Head of Brand Management and Marketing Communications), Monika Blaser (Marketing Communications).

Responsible at thjnk Zurich: Alexander Jaggy; Pablo Schencke (Managing Director, Creative); Maira Weidmann, Luca Stancheris (Creative Direction); Tobias Buholzer, Anna-Fiona Geller (Copywriting); Katharina Binder, Elhan Abduli, Ruben Scupin (Art Direction); Patricia Schneider, Célina Stadler, Moritz Houmard (Graphic Design); Gordon Nemitz (Managing Director, Strategy); Fabienne Peyer (Strategy); Andrea Bison (Managing Director, Consulting); Cornelia Nünlist, Michaela Bossard, Mark Ottiger, Fabienne Hug (Consulting); Marc Seibert, Guido Block (thjnk 24/7)

External partners: nc ag (image editing), Mediaschneider and Outdoor Media (media)

The dismantling of the existing interior has already begun. Over the coming months, the space will be gradually converted to meet Edelweiss's future needs. The new Edelweiss space is scheduled to open in summer 2026. The upper floor will house additional office space focused on Edelweiss's assessment and training programs. The ground floor will be designed as a versatile space for events and inspiration.

Edelweiss has had its headquarters in The Circle since summer 2021. "We've settled in very well here over the past four and a half years and offer our employees a modern and inspiring work environment," says Patrick Heymann, Chief Commercial Officer of Edelweiss. With the additional space, they now want to take the next step: "Travel begins with inspiration. With our expanded presence in The Circle, we want to create space for precisely that – for our employees, as well as for people who want to be inspired by the world of Edelweiss travel."

The expansion is also welcomed by the landlord. "We are delighted that Edelweiss is taking over this attractive space on the main square in The Circle after the expiration of the lease with the previous tenant, Omega," says Stefan Feldmann, Head of The Circle at Flughafen Zürich AG. "Edelweiss's planned concept enriches the offerings in The Circle and further strengthens the location."

Further details about the project will be communicated in due course.

The approximately eleven-minute film follows crews on short- and long-haul flights, offering a realistic glimpse into their daily work in the cockpit. The focus is on the people. Pilots speak for themselves, revealing what characterizes working at Edelweiss: a shared passion for flying, high professionalism, and a culture of trust. The film vividly illustrates what Edelweiss stands for as an employer: responsibility, team spirit, and a culture where everyone pursues the same goal.

The film "More Than Just Flying" is a key element in Edelweiss's employer branding and is used specifically in the recruitment of pilots. It offers flight-qualified individuals an authentic glimpse into the daily work and culture in the Edelweiss cockpit, helping them assess whether this environment is a good fit for them. At the same time, the film helps Edelweiss to specifically target those individuals who are a good professional and personal match for the Edelweiss cockpit.

Working in the Edelweiss cockpit

Edelweiss offers pilots a diverse working environment. Short- and long-haul flights take them to a wide variety of holiday destinations worldwide. Thanks to the Mixed-Fleet Flying (MFF) model, Edelweiss pilots fly different aircraft types, adding further variety to their daily cockpit routine. With the new Airbus A350, Edelweiss also utilizes state-of-the-art technology.

Furthermore, Edelweiss offers flexible options to combine flight operations with ground duties. This allows pilots to tailor their work to their individual needs – for example, if they do not wish to fly full-time on a permanent basis.

For the production of the film "More Than Just Flying," Edelweiss once again collaborated with the Zurich-based video agency Lauschsicht. Their knack for authentic storytelling and their aviation expertise gained from previous Edelweiss projects, including the films documenting the first landing of the Airbus A350, were decisive factors in their decision.

Edelweiss is delighted with the clear vote of the cabin crew: With a participation rate of 83.8 percent and a vote of 91.9 percent in favor, the new collective agreement (GAV25) was adopted. The agreement will take effect on May 1, 2025, and has a minimum term of five years.

The CLA25 strengthens working conditions on board and promotes a spirit of partnership. "The clear approval of our cabin crew for the new CLA means a great deal to me and is a strong sign of mutual trust. Together, we have developed an agreement that creates modern working conditions while simultaneously securing Edelweiss's future viability," says Bernd Bauer, CEO of Edelweiss.

Edelweiss is proud to have successfully concluded the second collective agreement for a large workforce with GAV25 – following the approval of the pilots' collective agreement last year.

The new Airbus A350: A next-generation working environment
The two long-term contracts are groundbreaking for the future and lay the foundation for stability and further growth. The introduction of six modern Airbus A350s also marks the beginning of a new chapter for Edelweiss. This fleet renewal represents a strong commitment to quality, sustainability, and the commitment to offering the best to Edelweiss guests and crews alike.

Edelweiss pilots and cabin crew members can look forward to one of the most modern workplaces in aviation: cutting-edge technology, enhanced comfort, well-designed work areas and quiet zones – all of this creates a working environment that inspires and motivates.

The growth of the long-haul fleet creates an additional need for qualified cockpit and cabin crew. To meet this demand, Edelweiss is continuously recruiting new colleagues who will work together to shape the future and continue to promote the Edelweiss experience.

Edelweiss is launching a new audio format: "Edelweiss Travel Tales," the airline's first in-house travel podcast, takes listeners on an inspiring journey of discovery. In each episode, host Erik Lorenz, founder of the successful travel podcast "Weltwach," speaks with people who have a very special connection to a destination.

Whether locals, adventurers, authors, documentary filmmakers, or athletes – they all share unique experiences and exciting encounters. But it's not just about traditional sights. "Edelweiss Travel Tales" introduces listeners to foreign cultures, shows what life is really like there, and provides valuable firsthand travel tips.

The first episode takes us to Morocco, where Erik Lorenz meets author Muriel Brunswig. She came to the country as a student and has since built a house there, teaches cooking classes, and organizes tours. Together, they delve into the fascinating world of the kasbahs, discover Moroccan cuisine, and explore the country's best surfing spots.

In episode 2, we head to Seattle in the Northwest of the USA. In a report, Erik accompanies listeners through the city: He visits the legendary Pike Place Market, enjoys the view from the Space Needle, speaks with Native Americans about preserving their culture, and experiences a traditional East African coffee ceremony – right in the heart of the "Coffee Capital of the USA."

The first episode will be released on March 14, 2025, on all major podcast platforms. New episodes will be released every two weeks. Other destinations in the first season include Oman, Corsica, Lofoten, the Azores, Jamaica, and Nova Scotia.

Links
«Edelweiss Travel Tales» on Spotify

«Edelweiss Travel Tales» on Apple Podcast

«Edelweiss Travel Tales» on Deezer

For many young people, becoming a pilot is a lifelong dream. However, until now, the realization of this dream has often been thwarted by the high initial training costs. This financial burden represents a major hurdle for many potential applicants and their families.

Starting in June 2025, Edelweiss will support all aspiring pilots with the same loan amount of CHF 80,000. Swiss nationals will thus begin their pilot training without any personal contribution. The entire training costs are covered by the Edelweiss loan amount and federal subsidies. EU/EFTA citizens will be required to make a personal contribution of CHF 24,000 at the start of their training, as they receive lower government subsidies than Swiss citizens.

After completing their training and being employed at the Edelweiss Cockpit, the loan is repaid gradually by the graduates to Edelweiss, with a minimal interest rate. Faster repayment is possible at any time.

This measure sends a strong signal for the promotion of young talent in the cockpit and will meet Edelweiss' increased demand for pilots in the coming years.

Link
Information about pilot training at flyedelweiss.com

The year 2025 marks a special milestone in Edelweiss' corporate history: its 30th anniversary. Since its founding, Edelweiss has undergone continuous development. Starting with two McDonnel Douglas MD-83 aircraft, Edelweiss now operates a fleet of five Airbus A340s and 14 Airbus A320s. Edelweiss is giving itself the greatest anniversary gift: the expansion and renewal of its long-haul fleet with six state-of-the-art Airbus A350s. This innovative aircraft represents the highest levels of efficiency, comfort, and environmental friendliness, enabling it to offer passengers an even more pleasant flight experience.

Airbus A350 – First flight on April 1, 2025
The final 100 days until the maiden flight on April 1, 2025, have begun. Edelweiss' new Airbus A350 era begins with Tenerife. For the first three months, the Airbus A350 will fly short- and medium-haul routes to train the crew. Afterward, it will move on to long-haul routes. Las Vegas will be the first vacation destination served by the new aircraft type. With the entry of the second Airbus A350 into service at the beginning of July 2025, the Zurich-Vancouver-Zurich route will be served daily.

Expansion of the long-haul fleet leads to new jobs Expansion of the A350
In line with its growth and to ensure the highest standards of service and safety, Edelweiss has announced new training courses for future cabin and cockpit crew members for 2025. As of today, Edelweiss offers over 300 cabin training positions and more than 40 cockpit positions in 2025. These training programs represent a great opportunity for motivated and qualified applicants to become part of the Edelweiss family.

New destinations
In the new year, Edelweiss is expanding its route network and offering guests new, exciting destinations. Long-haul destinations include Halifax (Nova Scotia) in Canada and Seattle in the USA, and short- and medium-haul destinations include Bristol in England, Calvi in Corsica, Tbilisi in Georgia, Terceira in the Azores, and Zadar in Croatia. This expansion allows travelers to discover even more fascinating destinations worldwide and contributes to strengthening its position as the leading Swiss leisure airline.

The Annual General Meeting of Edelweiss Air AG has appointed Jens Fehlinger as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors. Jens Fehlinger is Chief Executive Officer of the sister company Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS). He will assume his new role retroactively to October 1, 2024.

Fehlinger succeeds Dieter Vranckx, who was appointed to the Executive Board of the Lufthansa Group effective July 1, 2024.

Heike Birlenbach and Karl Ulrich Garnadt continue to serve on the Edelweiss Board of Directors.

Starting in March 2025, Edelweiss will offer the opportunity for direct entry as a Senior Cabin Crew Member on a part-time contract for the first time. This attractive working model allows for a workload of between 60% and 90%.

The prerequisite for direct entry as a Senior Cabin Crew Member is at least two years of flight experience, including at least one year as a Senior Cabin Crew Member. After the first two months of full-time work, you will be reduced to your preferred daily schedule. Places in the basic courses will be available from March 2025. Training begins with the basic course followed by introductory flights as a Cabin Crew Member on the route. Starting in the fourth month of employment, you will be trained to become a Senior Cabin Crew Member, initially on short-haul flights and then on long-haul flights.

With this attractive work model, Edelweiss is further expanding its strong position in the job market. Edelweiss is already looking forward to receiving applications from experienced and motivated colleagues.

Information and application at flyedelweiss.com

The first Edelweiss Pop-Up Summer Bar opened today at Zurich Airport. Under the motto "Summer in Greece," guests at Zurich Airport can enjoy a drink on the inviting lounge furniture of the Edelweiss Pop-Up Summer Bar from June 21 to August 11. A DJ will be on-site daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., adding to the holiday atmosphere with soft house music. An inspiring video about Edelweiss' Greek destinations will further enhance the holiday atmosphere. Guests can also win a flight for two to an Edelweiss Greece destination of their choice every week.

The Edelweiss Pop-Up Summer Bar's culinary offerings are inspired by a Greek beach bar. Visitors can enjoy the following drinks: Mykonos Mojito, Santorini Spritz, Ouzo Spritz, and many more. Non-alcoholic beverages are also available. The menu is complemented by a selection of snacks, ranging from sushi to momos and Caesar salads. The Edelweiss Pop-Up Summer Bar is located in the Airside Center, right after the duty-free shopping area.

Edelweiss flies from Zurich to 12 holiday destinations in Greece: Chania (Crete), Heraklion (Crete), Kalamata, Corfu, Kos, Mykonos, Preveza/Lefkada, Rhodes, Samos, Santorini, Skiathos and Zakynthos.

After AEROPERS broke off negotiations on a new cockpit collective agreement last Friday, Edelweiss renewed its offer yesterday and submitted concrete implementation proposals that are within its business capabilities. This proposal, too, is not accepted by AEROPERS.

Edelweiss’ offer includes higher wages, higher profit sharing and better individual flexibility
The specific offer still provides for a 15% increase over 4.5 years. This is against the backdrop of Edelweiss already paying all pilots an additional 2% as of January 2023, on a non-contractual and voluntary basis, and a large portion of the losses from the coronavirus period will be credited back to the employees in April 2024.

The offer includes not only a cost-of-living adjustment, which applies retroactively and for the future, but also other improvements, such as a wage increase, higher profit-sharing, and measures to significantly improve the planning of social life. Furthermore, pilots have the opportunity to improve their compensation either through increased productivity or increased flexibility. Edelweiss also offers new, voluntary working time models to further meet individual needs.

Edelweiss already offers competitive compensation and working conditions, as well as an excellent pension plan. Cockpit employees are the only group at Edelweiss to benefit from 26% of pension fund contributions, which are fully paid by the employer.

"AEROPERS' demands are far beyond our business capabilities. The package they are demanding would increase our cockpit costs by approximately 50%. We are open to discussion on all issues, but at the same time we are committed to ensuring Edelweiss' future viability. With the disproportionate increase in cockpit costs, our investment plans for more environmentally friendly aircraft would also no longer be feasible as planned," says David Birrer, Chief Operating Officer of Edelweiss.

Edelweiss acknowledges AEROPERS' position and is ready to resume negotiations at any time with the aim of maintaining a sustainable social partnership.

Edelweiss will add an additional Airbus A320 to its fleet in 2024. Starting in spring, it will primarily serve to further enhance Edelweiss' offerings and secure existing capacity during the summer peak season. With this additional aircraft, Edelweiss will operate a fleet of 19 aircraft from Zurich this year (14 Airbus A320s and 5 Airbus A340s).

Finest pralines in Business Class and other new products
Business Class passengers can look forward to the finest pralines from the Basel-based confectionery Beschle. Beschle created the pralines exclusively for Edelweiss. Another special feature is the elegant packaging; it is not thrown away after use but can be reused. This underscores Edelweiss's ecologically responsible approach by ensuring its onboard product is sustainable. This approach supports existing efforts to avoid waste.

In addition to the exclusive pralines, Edelweiss also offers its Business Class guests rosé champagne from the Gruet winery as a welcome drink. This champagne has enjoyed great popularity since its addition to the range. The new Swiss soft drinks, such as Pepita, Sinalco, Elmer Citro, and Rivella, are equally popular with guests in all classes. These will also be served alternately in 2024.

Martin Rast, Head of Product & Services at Edelweiss: “We've listened to the extensive feedback from our guests and, in particular, revised our menus and snacks. At Edelweiss, we continue to offer full culinary service in all classes, which is, of course, included in the flight price. And as we look ahead to the new year, I'm already looking forward to a revised film offering on short-haul flights, where we can now also offer our guests blockbuster movies. Of course, also free of charge.”

Exclusive experiences with Edelweiss
The year 2024 means pure exclusivity for Edelweiss guests and fans. Every month, customers have the chance to take part in a unique adventure or get a glimpse behind the scenes at Edelweiss. The latest "edelweiss experiences" are published monthly via the Edelweiss newsletter and the Edelweiss Instagram channel.

Edelweiss is optimizing its short- and medium-haul network and, in some cases, significantly increasing the number of flights. Edelweiss is also offering an even more attractive flight schedule on weekends and during the spring holidays. The Canary Islands, for example, will benefit from more flights, particularly in spring and autumn. Gran Canaria will now be served up to eleven times a week, Tenerife will have up to ten weekly flights, and Fuerteventura will have up to five. Services to Lanzarote will remain stable with three weekly flights, and La Palma will once again offer non-stop flights in the spring.

Services to popular city destinations on the Spanish mainland will also be expanded, enabling attractive weekend stays: Seville will be served with up to six weekly flights, Bilbao with up to five, and Santiago de Compostela with three. Flights to Menorca in the Balearic Islands will be increased to four to five weekly, and Palma de Mallorca and Ibiza will each be served up to nine times weekly.

Significantly more flights to the north
Those who prefer northern climes can look forward to up to ten weekly flights to Edinburgh, Scotland; the frequency to Newquay, Cornwall, will double to two weekly flights. The number of weekly flights to Keflavík will increase to five, and Akureyri will now be served continuously from June to August. Norway is also among the most popular destinations. As previously announced, Edelweiss will now fly once a week to Evenes in the Lofoten Islands starting in June. The number of weekly flights to Bergen will remain at two, and the number of flights to Tromsø will increase from two to three per week.

Greece continues to see very high demand
Greece will experience the most significant expansion in the 2024 summer flight schedule. There will be up to 17 new flights per week to Heraklion on Crete. That's five more frequencies than before. In addition, there will be three weekly connections to Chania instead of two. Corfu will be increased from four to five flights, and Zakynthos from three to four. Daily flights to Kos and Rhodes will finally be added to the schedule, and Kalamata will be expanded by one frequency to three in the spring. The number of flights to Skiathos and Preveza/Lefkada will be increased.

North Africa with strong expansion
Services to Morocco are being significantly expanded: For the first time, Agadir will be served non-stop up to two times a week, and Marrakech up to five times a week. In the spring, additional flights will be offered to Djerba in Tunisia, now a total of three per week. Egyptian destinations are also being expanded: Sharm El Sheik and Marsa Alam will now be served up to four times a week, Hurghada up to 16 times, and Luxor will continue to be served once a week in the spring.

Further destinations with expanded offerings
With up to nine weekly flights to Antalya, three to Bodrum, and one to Dalaman, Edelweiss also offers a comprehensive flight program to destinations in Turkey. Cyprus is looking forward to up to two new daily flights to Larnaca.

The Italian destinations Bari with five new flights, Catania with up to eight, Lamezia Terme and Olbia with up to six, and Cagliari with up to five weekly flights also offer an attractive offer.

In Portugal, there are now five flights a week to Faro throughout the season, up to five flights a week to Funchal, and two flights a week to Ponta Delgada in the Azores. The Biarritz season will be extended from June to September, with flights moving to Wednesdays and Saturdays. The season to Figari in Corsica will also be extended: this holiday destination will now be served from May to September.

Pristina in Kosovo will continue to be served eleven times a week, and Tivat in Montenegro twice. Ohrid in North Macedonia will now be served three times a week, and Skopje up to four times.

Edelweiss flies to 64 short- and medium-haul destinations, a total of 93 destinations in 38 countries. All flights are now bookable at flyedelweiss.com and through all standard sales channels.

Part-time work is trending and also a requirement for cabin crew members. Therefore, Edelweiss now offers the opportunity for direct entry as a cabin crew member on a part-time contract. A workload of between 90% and 40% is possible. At least two years of flight experience as a cabin crew member is required. After the first two months of full-time work (initial course and introductory flights), you will be reduced to your desired daily schedule. Places in the basic courses will be available from April 2024. Assignments are possible on both short- and long-haul routes. This represents a first for Edelweiss in the Swiss airline industry.

With this offer, Edelweiss is responding to the changing conditions in the labor market. Edelweiss believes it will tap into significant potential in the job market and is already looking forward to receiving applications from experienced and motivated colleagues.

Links
Information and application at flyedelweiss.com

Edelweiss is expanding its fleet with another Airbus A320 aircraft. The aircraft, registered HB-JLP, will be acquired from sister company SWISS and will operate short- and medium-haul flights from Zurich starting in summer 2024.

With the additional Airbus A320, Edelweiss will operate a fleet of 19 aircraft from Zurich next year (14 Airbus A320s and 5 Airbus A340s).

Edelweiss is procuring six highly efficient and low-emission Airbus A350-900 aircraft. These will be gradually added to the Edelweiss fleet starting in summer 2025. By the end of 2026, the existing five Airbus A340-300 long-haul aircraft will be replaced, and Edelweiss' long-haul fleet will be restored to pre-coronavirus levels.

Edelweiss CEO Bernd Bauer: "The modernization of the long-haul fleet is a milestone in Edelweiss's almost 30-year history. Edelweiss will thus operate one of the youngest long-haul fleets in Europe starting in 2026."

The Airbus A350-900 has an even greater range than the Airbus A340-300, allowing new holiday destinations to be directly connected to Switzerland in the future. For passengers, the new aircraft offers an even more relaxed and pleasant travel experience. The spacious "Airspace" cabin of the Airbus A350-900 features wide aisles and large-capacity overhead bins. Thanks to the modern cabin, the aircraft also has a very quiet passenger compartment, which contributes significantly to improved travel comfort. Edelweiss guests will also appreciate the improved air quality in the future. Thanks to state-of-the-art technology, every seat on the aircraft breathes fresh air without drafts and enjoys the natural light that streams in through the 30% larger panoramic windows.

The aircraft, previously operated by LATAM Airlines, will initially have 339 seats and offer Edelweiss' renowned comfort in all classes: 246 seats in Economy Class, 63 seats in Economy Max with more legroom and greater recline, and 30 seats in Business Class that convert into a flat bed. All guests will benefit from one of the most modern in-flight entertainment systems with large, high-resolution screens and USB power outlets at every seat. Business Class passengers can even enjoy films and series on a 19-inch screen.

Due to global material shortages and reduced maintenance and engineering capacities, the first four aircraft will initially operate in the original operator's configuration with slight modifications to the cabin and the Edelweiss livery. Edelweiss will later install a completely new cabin configuration with new seats and a new interior design. This will significantly enhance the comfort and travel experience for all guests. Edelweiss is investing a three-digit million euro amount in this project.

An environmentally friendly and economical aircraft
"The design of the Airbus A350-900 sets new standards in efficiency with state-of-the-art technologies and outstanding aerodynamics. It is one of the most environmentally friendly long-haul aircraft in the world," continued Bernd Bauer. Latest-generation engines and the use of lightweight materials make the twin-engine Airbus A350-900 one of the most fuel-efficient wide-body aircraft. It consumes 25 percent less fuel and therefore produces 25 percent less _CO2 than the four-engine Airbus A340-300. Noise emissions are also up to 50 percent lower.

According to current planning, the first Airbus A350-900 with the Edelweiss livery will arrive in Zurich in summer 2025 and will be deployed on Edelweiss' entire long-haul network, which includes over 20 destinations in North, Central, and South America, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Indian Ocean.

It's summer in Egypt all year round. For this reason, these destinations are among the most popular holiday destinations, especially in the winter months, and enjoy high demand. Whether for beach holidays, cultural excursions, or a Nile cruise, Edelweiss will once again fly to Egypt's most popular holiday destinations this winter, offering an even wider range of flights with up to 23 frequencies per week. In the 2023/24 winter schedule, Edelweiss will fly daily to Hurghada, and even twice daily on weekends. Luxor will be served twice a week, and Marsa Alam three times a week. The number of flights to Sharm El Sheikh will double to four weekly.

Holiday destinations for golfers, hikers and connoisseurs
Spain is also a very popular travel destination during the colder months. Ideal for soaking up the sun, exercising, or enjoying the local culture. Edelweiss is expanding its services to the Canary Islands this coming winter, flying daily to Tenerife and Gran Canaria, and twice daily on weekends. Fuerteventura will be served four times a week, Lanzarote three times a week, and La Palma twice a week. The service to Mallorca will be increased by two additional flights, bringing the total to five per week. Seville will be served four times a week throughout the winter, and Faro in Portugal will be served up to three times a week.

Holiday destinations in Morocco will be served with additional capacity starting with the 2023/24 winter flight schedule, with nonstop flights to Agadir returning from February. Edelweiss will fly up to 6 times a week to Marrakech and 2 times a week to Agadir throughout the winter. Larnaca, Cyprus, will be served up to 7 times a week this winter.

There are more winters in the north
Edelweiss holiday destinations in Norway and Iceland are enjoying increasing popularity. Winters there are more intense, whiter, and, above all, colder. A nearly endless array of varied winter activities and breathtaking natural spectacles make these destinations so popular. Due to rising demand, Edelweiss is significantly expanding its offerings: In Norway, flights to Tromsø are available up to three times a week, and to Bergen up to two times a week. Reykjavik/Keflavik in Iceland is also available up to three times a week, and Edinburgh in Scotland up to four times a week.

A complete destination and frequency overview for winter 2023/24 can be found in the appendix to this press release.

The 2023/24 winter long-haul flight schedule includes new destinations in Colombia (Bogotá and Cartagena) and a wider selection of destinations in the USA, Thailand, and South Africa. Details were already announced in April. Further information can be found at this link .

The entire 2023/24 winter flight schedule includes 57 holiday destinations in 32 countries (short-haul, medium-haul, and long-haul). All flights are now bookable at flyedelweiss.com and through all usual sales channels.

Effective September 1, Nina Wach will take over as head of Edelweiss' Brand Management & Marketing Communication department. She succeeds Yves Maclean, who will leave Edelweiss at the end of July. Nina Wach has been Head of Brand Management & Creative Director at NZZ for the past year and a half. Previously, she was Head of Brand Management at Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS), Head of Marketing, Communication and Branding at Teo Jakob AG, and Senior Global Marketing and Brand Manager and a member of the Executive Board at Barry Callebaut.

Patrick Heymann, Chief Commercial Officer of Edelweiss: "I see Nina Wach as an ideal fit for Edelweiss. She has national and international experience in marketing, communications, and branding, as well as extensive knowledge of the airline industry. This makes her the ideal candidate for this management position. I look forward to welcoming her on September 1st."

Edelweiss, Switzerland's leading leisure airline, is further expanding its long-haul offerings. For the 2023/24 winter flight schedule, Edelweiss will offer 20 diverse long-haul destinations in 15 countries. The offering will primarily include popular destinations in North America, Thailand, and South Africa.

With Edelweiss directly to the superlative Formula 1 race in Las Vegas
Flights to Las Vegas will continue this season until November, much to the delight of all Formula 1 fans. After more than 40 years, the Formula 1 circus will return to the legendary Las Vegas Strip between November 16 and 18, 2023. Edelweiss will offer convenient, non-stop flights from Zurich to the race to experience this unforgettable spectacle up close. For the third year in a row, Edelweiss is the Official Airline Partner of the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake motorsport team.

In addition, Edelweiss will now also fly to Tampa Bay, Florida, twice a week during the winter months.

Wide range of offers in the sunny Caribbean
The number of flights to Caribbean holiday destinations remains unchanged. As in the last winter season, Cancún will be served three times a week, Havana once a week, and Punta Cana twice a week non-stop from Zurich. Puerto Plata will be served once a week in conjunction with Montego Bay, Jamaica. San José will be served three times a week, including two flights per week in conjunction with Liberia/Guanacaste.

Colombia new in the program
As previously announced, Edelweiss will fly to two new holiday destinations in Colombia. The two new destinations, Bogotá and Cartagena, are ideal for exploring this country of contrasts on a stunning round trip. Starting November 22, 2023, Edelweiss will fly nonstop from Zurich every Wednesday and Sunday to Bogotá, then on to Cartagena, and then back to Zurich.

Earlier start of the season and more flights to South Africa and Thailand
Due to high demand, Edelweiss will increase the number of flights to Cape Town by one additional flight per week, beginning at the end of August. Edelweiss will now fly to the metropolis at the Cape of Good Hope four times a week. Kilimanjaro will continue to be served twice a week in combination with Zanzibar. Those who prefer a tropical experience can look forward to Phuket, where the service will be expanded to include a weekly flight. Edelweiss will fly to this exotic destination three times a week, starting at the beginning of October.

The holiday destinations of Muscat in Oman, Mauritius, and the Seychelles remain a fixed feature of Edelweiss' winter flight schedule. The Maldives are served three times a week from Zurich, including one weekly connection with Colombo, Sri Lanka.

A complete overview of long-haul destinations and frequencies can be found in the appendix to this press release. Flights are now bookable at flyedelweiss.com and through all usual sales channels. Changes to the 2023/24 winter flight schedule for short- and medium-haul flights will be communicated in the coming weeks.

In the coming weeks, all Edelweiss aircraft will be equipped with a new fragrance. Dispensers featuring Soeder soap called "Jungle Bloom" will be installed in the lavatories of the short- and medium-haul Airbus A320 aircraft. The long-haul Airbus A340 aircraft will also feature Soeder's "Ginger Voyage" lotion. Both fragrances were developed specifically for Edelweiss in close collaboration between Edelweiss and Soeder.

When selecting the manufacturer and its products, Edelweiss placed great importance on sustainable production. They found the ideal partner in Soeder. Martin Rast, Head of Product & Services at Edelweiss, explains: "Soeder care products are made exclusively with natural ingredients in their own soap factory in Schwerzenbach near Zurich. Soeder also embraces the refill philosophy. This means that we don't throw away empty dispensers, but refill them each time. This way, we contribute to reducing waste."

The first aircraft were recently converted and are already flying around the world with the new fragrance. The remaining aircraft will also be converted in the coming weeks.

Links
Selection of images of the Soeder soap «Jungle Bloom» and the Soeder lotion «Ginger Voyage»

Last year, Edelweiss was confronted with constantly changing entry regulations worldwide due to the COVID situation. The situation has since changed significantly. Since the end of November 2022, there have been no entry restrictions for crews at destinations with on-site stays. Furthermore, there have been no further tightening of restrictions during the winter months. The situation has stabilized overall, and flight operations are no longer at risk.

For this reason, Edelweiss has decided to lift the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for flight personnel as of April 20, 2023. Should the situation change unexpectedly, Edelweiss will consider reintroducing mandatory vaccination.

Edelweiss, the leading Swiss leisure airline, is expanding its route network for the 2023 summer schedule with three destinations: Akureyri (Northern Iceland), Biarritz, and Bari. Akureyri is the ideal starting point for exploring Iceland's highlights and can also be perfectly combined with flights to Keflavik. Flights to the airport in the north of the country are available every Friday. Biarritz, a surfing and bathing paradise on the Atlantic in western France, impresses with its fascinating architecture. Those planning to visit the Basque Country can ideally combine Biarritz with the existing destination of Bilbao. Flights to Biarritz start in June and operate every Tuesday and Friday. Bari is the capital of Apulia and is considered a perfect starting point for exploring and enjoying this exciting region. A round trip offers additional highlights such as the Amalfi Coast. Bari will be served every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday starting in April.

More destinations during summer flight schedule
For the first time in the summer schedule, Boa Vista and Sal in Cape Verde will be served; the season will be extended beyond the winter until the end of June. Amman and Aqaba in Jordan, which will be added to the schedule in February 2023, will also be served in the summer schedule. Edelweiss will offer a total of 65 short-haul destinations in 21 countries in summer 2023. Compared to the 2019 summer schedule, 19 short-haul destinations have been added and three destinations have been dropped.

More flights to Greece, the Canary Islands and Cyprus
The already extensive service to Greece will be further expanded: Zakynthos will now be served on Sundays in addition to Mondays and Thursdays. Corfu will even be served four times a week: on Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and now also on Thursdays. Furthermore, additional flights to Rhodes and Heraklion (Crete) will be offered, and flight times to Mykonos will be improved. Services to the Canary Islands will also be further expanded: Edelweiss will now offer up to five weekly flights to Fuerteventura. In addition, there will be up to eight flights each to Tenerife and Gran Canaria, and three to Lanzarote. Larnaca in Cyprus will now be served up to 13 times a week.

Expansion of services to Scotland and North Africa
Edinburgh, Scotland, will be served up to eight times a week next summer: an ideal destination for a weekend city break or a tour of the magnificent Highlands. Services to North Africa will also be expanded: Marrakech will be served with six weekly flights next spring, and Agadir with two. Morocco is ideal for cultural tours followed by beach holidays or golf vacations. Services to Djerba, Tunisia, will be expanded by one weekly frequency to three.

Expansion of services in summer also on long-haul routes
In its 2023 long-haul summer flight schedule, Edelweiss offers 21 diverse holiday destinations in 15 countries. The service will be expanded primarily to popular destinations in North America, the Caribbean, and Costa Rica. The connection to Denver will be increased by one weekly frequency, bringing the total to three, and Vancouver will now be served up to four times weekly. And all Caribbean destinations will be served non-stop during peak travel times.

Sports equipment and food still included
The first piece of sports equipment in the normal category (max. 23 kg) will also travel free of charge on all flights during the summer schedule. Edelweiss also offers delicious, seasonal menu creations on board, prepared with the highest quality regional products. This service is also included at no extra charge.

Edelweiss and Eurowings Discover, the two leisure airlines of the Lufthansa Group, will further expand their tourism expertise. To this end, both airlines will have a joint CEO: Bernd Bauer, CEO of Edelweiss since 2014, will assume the position of CEO of Eurowings Discover in Germany on October 1, 2022, in addition to his current duties. This will strengthen and expand Eurowings Discover's management team. Both companies will remain independent going forward.

Edelweiss has decades of extensive experience in the tourism sector. It is the leading Swiss leisure airline. Eurowings Discover was modeled on its German model. Eurowings Discover, founded during the coronavirus pandemic, has experienced rapid growth and successfully positioned itself in the market.

Together with the management teams in Zurich at Edelweiss and in Frankfurt at Eurowings Discover, Bernd Bauer will further accelerate the expansion of the Lufthansa Group's offerings in the tourism segment. At Edelweiss, David Birrer will remain Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Accountable Manager, and Patrick Heymann will remain Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). At Eurowings Discover, Wolfgang Raebiger will focus on the role of COO and Accountable Manager, while Helmut Wölfel will remain CCO.

Edelweiss and Eurowings Discover focus on short-, medium-, and long-haul tourist destinations. They thus complement the network airlines' offerings. Edelweiss flies from Zurich, while Eurowings Discover operates from Frankfurt and Munich. Both companies will retain their independence and continue to operate under their well-known names in their respective markets.

The desire to travel and the desire for holidays in the world's most beautiful destinations have returned after the coronavirus pandemic. Edelweiss' passenger numbers in July 2022 exceeded pre-crisis levels and even reached a new record high. Never before in the company's history have so many guests flown in a single month as in the previous month. In July 2022, Edelweiss carried 304,039 passengers. This represents an increase of 3% compared to July 2019, with seat load factor remaining unchanged at 84%. At the same time, the number of flights operated increased by 16%.

Holiday destinations in North America and Spain most popular in July
The number of holiday destinations offered increased by 30% in summer 2022 compared to summer 2019, reaching 74 dream destinations worldwide. Edelweiss guests particularly enjoyed long-haul destinations in the USA, Canada, and the Dominican Republic this July. On short- and medium-haul flights, the most popular destinations were Spain, Greece, and Italy.

Bernd Bauer, CEO of Edelweiss, is delighted with this successful start to the current summer season: "Our guests are feeling the urge to travel again and are placing their trust in us again after the uncertain pandemic period. We are very pleased with the exceptionally positive customer feedback. This has certainly been helped by the fact that Edelweiss continues to be a reliable partner for holidaymakers this summer."

Bookings for autumn and winter are developing well
The positive travel trend continues for the fall break and the upcoming winter season. Bookings for the coming months are developing positively, as expected. Demand is particularly high for long-haul flights to holiday destinations in Tanzania, South Africa, the Maldives, and Mauritius. On medium-haul routes, the most popular destinations are Egypt and the Canary Islands.

Edelweiss is hiring 150 new cabin crew members. The first Initial Training Course has already begun. Places are still available for the courses in March, April, May, and June. Upon joining, applicants must have successfully completed basic education (vocational training, high school diploma, etc.) and possess a customer-focused attitude, exceptional service skills, a passion for people, and a high level of warmth and empathy.

Two additional Airbus A320s in summer 2022
Edelweiss is expanding its fleet with two Airbus A320 aircraft. The aircraft will be used for short- and medium-haul flights from Zurich starting in summer 2022. This brings Edelweiss' fleet to 16 aircraft (12 Airbus A320s and four Airbus A340s).

The fleet expansion and the recruitment of new cabin crew members are linked to the expansion of the flight program for summer 2022. The number of short- and medium-haul flights was increased by 16% compared to summer 2021, while the long-haul program represents an increase of 185%.

Left
Current job vacancy for Cabin Crew Member

David Birrer will join Edelweiss's Executive Board as Chief Operating Officer and Accountable Manager effective March 1, 2022. In his new role, he will assume overall strategic and operational responsibility for Edelweiss's flight operations. He has served as Managing Director and Accountable Manager of Lufthansa Aviation Training Switzerland AG for four years. David Birrer succeeds Daniel Landert at Edelweiss, who will leave the company at the end of February 2022 after four years in this role and join the Swiss Air-Rescue Rega as designated Head of Jet Operations and member of the Executive Board.

Before becoming Managing Director and Accountable Manager of Lufthansa Aviation Training Switzerland AG, the 46-year-old Swiss national held various management positions at Swiss AviationTraining AG from 2009 to 2017, gaining ten years of international experience as an engineer, head of project management, and head of marketing and strategy in the radio and TV broadcast industry.

In addition to his studies in electrical engineering and communications technology at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Birrer completed a postgraduate degree in industrial engineering, an Executive Master in Business Administration, and the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.

Bernd Bauer, CEO of Edelweiss, is pleased with David Birrer's career move: "We are delighted to have found a Chief Operating Officer in David Birrer who can impress across the board. His many years of experience in aviation training and his extensive network in the airline business, coupled with his technical expertise, make him an ideal fit."

Together with Edelweiss, Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN will take to the skies in the future. Leading Swiss leisure airline Edelweiss is entering into a partnership with the Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN Formula 1 team and will become the official airline partner. It will support the team on its flights to race destinations in Europe and around the world.

Patrick Heymann, CCO of Edelweiss, commented: "Edelweiss is just as unique in Switzerland as the Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN team. We proudly carry Swiss values such as quality, reliability, and precision around the world. And we are honored to be able to fly the Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN team to the most diverse racetracks around the world in the future. We will do everything we can to ensure the team arrives at their destinations relaxed and can deliver top performances on the racetrack. I am delighted about this exciting partnership, which connects modern Switzerland with the world."

Frédéric Vasseur, Team Principal Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN: "Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN is a global brand that races at more than 20 venues around the world. We need a reliable, high-quality partner for our employees' travel to and from each race, and Edelweiss is the perfect choice for our team. Edelweiss embodies the same Swiss values that drive us: their attention to detail, their impeccable quality standards, and the care they take to make each of us feel like VIP guests. They ensure that we arrive at the race venues ready to give our best and fully focused on our work. We are proud to have them as part of the Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN family."

Edelweiss is simplifying travel planning with two new services. You can now purchase a travel-approved PCR test for home use via the Edelweiss website. In addition, all Edelweiss guests have access to an expanded range of information for each holiday destination, including the most important COVID-19 regulations and on-site testing options.

A negative PCR test is required for entry into many countries. Edelweiss passengers now have the option of quickly and easily taking a PCR test at home using a self-collection kit.

The process is simple: Order a test kit at flyedelweiss.com, which is delivered to your home by mail. Thanks to the written instructions or video instructions, you can easily take the saliva sample at home. Then, send the sample tube directly to the certified laboratory or leave it at a drop-off point at Zurich Airport. The lab results follow the next day via encrypted email. This email is internationally recognized, multilingual, and contains all the information necessary for your planned trip.

This service is offered in cooperation with Viselio on flyedelweiss.com and costs CHF 165.

All important information for a carefree journey at a glance
In the current global situation, reliable and comprehensive information is key to a carefree and stress-free stay at your holiday destination. Edelweiss now offers the relevant information for every holiday destination on its website.

With just a few clicks, you can see the current travel restrictions, entry requirements, and rules of conduct regarding COVID-19 for each country. You can also book a paid PCR test online at your destination for your return trip to Switzerland. This service is provided in cooperation with the Canadian company Sitata at flyedelweiss.com.

Links

• PCR test kit from Viselio
• Local regulations and testing options with Sitata

About Viselio
Viselio is a Swiss service provider for travel documents and visas. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the company has specialized in providing the right travel documents and tests to enable travel even during the coronavirus pandemic.

About Sitata
Headquartered in Canada, Sitata is a global health, safety, and risk management provider. The company uses artificial intelligence, machine learning, and innovative mobile technologies to assist travelers.

Today, Tuesday, June 9, Edelweiss is flying the first two Airbus A320s from Dübendorf Airport back to Zurich Airport. The remaining three aircraft will follow a week later.

After Edelweiss parked five of its Airbus A320s at Dübendorf Airport for almost three months, they will be flown back to Zurich Airport in phases starting today, Tuesday. The first A320 (HB-IJW) took off from Dübendorf today, Tuesday, June 9, at 10:45 a.m. The second overflight (HB-IJU) will take place this afternoon at 3:00 p.m. The remaining three A320s will be transferred next week, on June 15 and 17. Due to the parking order, these three aircraft cannot all be transferred on the same day.

With the transfer to Zurich Airport, Edelweiss is preparing for its summer flight schedule, which will resume flights to an estimated 60 short- and long-haul holiday destinations starting in July.

Edelweiss will resume leisure flight operations tomorrow, Thursday, after a nearly two-month hiatus. The first flight after the shutdown due to the coronavirus crisis will depart at 6:00 a.m. from Zurich to Faro, Portugal.

In accordance with the entry regulations of the respective countries, the flight offering will be continuously expanded in the coming weeks. By the end of June, 171 flights to 36 holiday destinations are currently planned. The first destinations to be served again are Portugal, Southern Italy, Kosovo, Croatia, and North Macedonia. Depending on the development of the global situation, destinations in Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt, and Spain will follow later in June. Furthermore, the first long-haul flights are planned to resume regular operations.

The exact flight schedule can be found in the travel agency booking systems and at flyedelweiss.com. Since planning continues to depend heavily on the entry restrictions of the respective countries, the flight schedule will be adjusted promptly to reflect current developments. To ensure that you can still plan your trip with confidence, Edelweiss continues to offer flexible and free rebooking options.

To protect passengers, Edelweiss follows the recommendations of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) with regard to hygiene measures and service concepts.

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.

Important Links

• Overview of the planned flights in the next 14 days

• Overview of the canceled flights in the next 14 days

   

Edelweiss, Switzerland's leading leisure airline, is not only a host above the clouds, but now also on domestic soil. In collaboration with Autogrill Switzerland, it has opened the "Edelweiss Café" at Zurich Airport. A unique concept has created an oasis of encounter and inspiration.

The bright and modern "Edelweiss Café" is located directly in front of the boarding pass check at Check-in 1. It's the ideal place to refuel before your flight or to say goodbye to loved ones. Guests can enjoy a wide variety of food and drinks inspired by Edelweiss' holiday destinations. The "Mykonos Salad," the "Edinburgh Quiche," or the "Ciabatta Rio," for example, create that holiday feeling even before departure. The "Edelweiss Café" offers up to 100 comfortable seats and a modern bar. Dozens of built-in power outlets ensure that passengers never have to leave their flight with empty batteries.

The "Edelweiss Café" is operated in close cooperation with Autogrill Switzerland. Maximilian Schiedt, Chief Operating Officer of Autogrill Switzerland, said: "We look forward to working with Edelweiss and promise that the "Edelweiss Café" will serve the best Italian coffee at Zurich Airport."

"The new oasis at Zurich Airport is intended, above all, to be a place of emotions and to get guests in the mood for their holidays," says Patrick Heymann, Chief Commercial Officer of Edelweiss. "Our guests will be immersed in the Edelweiss world. On the oversized screen, we will present our dream destinations in breathtaking films. And in various display cases, guests can discover and admire many original holiday souvenirs. Here, they can escape from everyday life and experience the holiday spirit."

The "Edelweiss Café" is now open to all visitors of Zurich Airport 365 days a year from 4:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Guests with a boarding pass for an Edelweiss flight receive a 10% discount on their food and beverages on the day of their flight until the end of March 2020.

Autogrill Switzerland AG
Autogrill Schweiz AG operates the Edelweiss Café. As a subsidiary of the Autogrill Group, it focuses on transport catering at busy locations such as highways, airports, and train stations. With revenue of CHF 171 million in 2019, Autogrill Schweiz is one of Switzerland's largest catering companies. It operates 102 points of sale at 25 locations in German- and French-speaking Switzerland.

The members of the pilots' association Aeropers today adopted the new pilots' collective agreement (GAV) with 94.5% in favor.

The Edelweiss management considers the overwhelming approval of the new collective labor agreement for pilots to be a solid foundation for continued successful cooperation. The collective labor agreement has created a sustainable contractual basis for the Edelweiss pilot corps.

The new collective agreement has a term of five years and comes into force on January 1, 2019.

Patrick Heymann (44), currently Head of Legal Affairs at Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS), will become Chief Commercial Officer and member of the Executive Board at Edelweiss as of 1 February 2019.

In his current position, Patrick Heymann has been responsible for SWISS's Legal Department since February 2017. Prior to that, he held various international positions for SWISS. In 2009, he was appointed Country Manager Russia & Ukraine, based in Moscow, before taking over as Head of the SWISS Sales and Marketing Organization for the US, Canada, and Latin America markets in New York in 2014.

“ I am very pleased that we have been able to recruit Patrick Heymann, a proven airline professional with international experience in the commercial sector, for this position ,” said Bernd Bauer, CEO of Edelweiss.

Patrick Heymann succeeds Alain Chisari, who moved to the parent company Lufthansa Group in Singapore as Vice President Sales Asia Pacific in September of this year.

The Annual General Meeting of Edelweiss Air AG has appointed Thomas Klühr as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors. Thomas Klühr is Chief Executive Officer of the sister company Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) and has been a member of the Edelweiss Board of Directors since February 2016. He will assume his new role on January 1, 2018.

The current Chairman of the Board of Directors, Karl Ulrich Garnadt, will remain a member of the Board. Josef Felder will continue to serve as a member of the Edelweiss Board of Directors.

Edelweiss was awarded the Swiss Travel Award 2016 last night in the category “ Airlines Short/Medium Hail ” and took third place in the category “ Airlines Long Hail ” .

“ This is a great recognition of the daily work of our employees and shows us that we are still on the right track with our product and our service ,” says Bernd Bauer, CEO of Edelweiss.

The rankings of the above categories are as follows:

Investment in fleet and product experience
The next milestone will follow on December 1, 2016. Edelweiss will then unveil the first converted Airbus A340 and commence regular long-haul service. Three more aircraft of the same type will be added by the end of 2018.

As previously communicated, Edelweiss modernized its entire Airbus A320 short-haul fleet this summer with a fresh interior and introduced a wireless entertainment system.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Edelweiss airline, the Edelweiss Zeppelin toured many locations this summer. On May 18, the airship took off for the first time from Mönchaltorf near Zurich. The first of over 400 flights also marked the start of a unique tour through German-speaking Switzerland. Over 4,800 passengers had the unique pleasure of experiencing their Switzerland from a completely new perspective.

The Edelweiss Zeppelin took off from a total of six locations for sightseeing flights over Swiss lakes and countryside. The over 75-meter-long Zeppelin delighted passengers in the air as well as passersby on the ground. The size of the airship and its lightness caused great amazement and joyful faces in many places. Over 4,800 passengers had the pleasure of marveling at the diversity of Switzerland from above in the Edelweiss Zeppelin. The airship was in flight for a total of around 285 hours and completed over 400 flights. The interest was enormous. All flights were already fully booked by January.

Bernd Bauer, CEO of Edelweiss, reflects on a successful campaign: "We received numerous positive reactions in the form of compliments, children's drawings, emails, and we were able to admire wonderful pictures on various social media channels under #flyedelweiss. Edelweiss and all its employees are delighted that we were able to bring joy to the people of this country with this gift."

Fleet expansion and route densification
Edelweiss has more news in store for its anniversary year. Over the next two years, the airline will expand its fleet with a total of five medium- and long-haul aircraft. With an Airbus A320, an A330, and three A340s, the fleet will grow to a total of twelve aircraft by 2018. The airline will also create over 350 new jobs in the coming years. This expansion represents significant growth for Edelweiss and will allow it to serve existing routes more frequently and new, emerging holiday markets non-stop. Edelweiss will add Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and Calgary (Canada) to its route network starting in spring 2016.

The Edelweiss airline is celebrating its 20th anniversary with the Edelweiss Zeppelin, which landed in Switzerland for the first time on May 18. The king of the skies will be a sight to behold throughout the summer. At a total of six locations, the public will have the opportunity to experience Switzerland from a completely different perspective. At 75 meters, the airship is even longer than the largest civil airliner, the Airbus A380.

Edelweiss will be conducting numerous sightseeing flights at six different locations until the end of August, taking in meadows, lakes, mountains, and valleys. There's plenty to marvel at: from Mönchaltorf, the Zeppelin will fly over the city of Zurich; from Interlaken, it will travel over the lakes of a stunning Alpine region; and from Sitterdorf, it will head toward Lake Constance. Flights from Basel, Grenchen, and Birrfeld also promise a unique flight experience. Each location will also host a large festival with various attractions. Although all flights are currently sold out, a few additional tickets will be sold or raffled off at these events.

Edelweiss Zeppelin at Zurich Airport
At the beginning of its Switzerland-wide tour, the Edelweiss Zeppelin made a detour over Zurich Airport. It flew low along the runway, past the observation deck and numerous aircraft at the terminals. After this "low pass," the Zeppelin continued its flight over the city of Zurich and back to Mönchaltorf.

Switzerland from a bird's eye view
Flying in a Zeppelin is comfortable, almost silent, and allows for a unique journey of discovery. "With the Edelweiss Zeppelin, we want to give the Swiss people the opportunity to experience their own country from a completely new perspective," says Bernd Bauer, CEO of Edelweiss. The planning and reconnaissance of this tour took well over a year. The clarifications, permits, and logistical challenges were extremely complex and required a great deal of dedication. "We are all the more delighted to now welcome the Zeppelin to Mönchaltorf for the first time," Bauer continues.

Overview of the Zeppelin Flight Days and Events

Starting in spring 2016, the leading Swiss leisure airline will be flying to Rio de Janeiro and Calgary. Edelweiss's fresh new website is already live, offering visitors many innovative new features.

Rio de Janeiro and Calgary from spring 2016
Edelweiss is expanding its route network and will fly to Rio de Janeiro twice a week starting April 25, 2016. The Brazilian metropolis has something to offer for every vacation need: the legendary Carnival nights with rousing samba, the Copacabana beach, and landmarks like Sugarloaf Mountain and Corcovado with the Christ the Redeemer statue. "The world will be looking to Rio de Janeiro next year for the 2016 Summer Olympics, and Edelweiss will offer the direct connection from Switzerland," says Alain Chisari, Chief Commercial Officer of Edelweiss. "Rio de Janeiro is definitely worth a trip and can be perfectly combined with flights to and from São Paulo with our sister airline SWISS."

Due to high demand, another seasonal holiday destination will be added to the flight schedule next year. From the beginning of June to the end of September 2016, Edelweiss will fly twice a week non-stop from Zurich to the Canadian city of Calgary.

All flights will be bookable from June 2015 at any travel agency, on swiss.com and flyedelweiss.com.

flyedelweiss.com becomes an online world of experience
The Edelweiss website has been completely redesigned and redesigned. Flyedelweiss.com is now free of clutter, boasting a fresh, modern design and simple user navigation. The focus of Edelweiss's new website is on the more than 40 holiday destinations, which are presented in detail. Destinations can also be filtered by interests, preferences, or flight time. Inspiring images, useful information, and selected tips from TripAdvisor make it even easier to find the perfect destination for the most wonderful time of the year. The entire booking process on flyedelweiss.com has also been simplified and streamlined, allowing you to book your flight with just a few clicks.

The new website now offers a fascinating experience of Edelweiss and its holiday destinations thanks to its responsive design on desktop, tablet, and smartphone. The "Experience" section creates an innovative brand experience platform that is unique for an airline. Users follow the position of the sun, discover holiday destinations in the respective cardinal directions, can track flights in real time, and encounter the latest social media posts about Edelweiss. "Experience" is made possible with compelling short films in which people on vacation reflect on their feelings and memories, wishes and dreams.

In collaboration with Swiss Aviation Training (SAT), Edelweiss is introducing "ab initio" commercial pilot training starting in fall 2014. What's new is that Edelweiss will support future pilots during their training, guarantee them employment if they perform well, and contribute to the costs.

"We want to provide high-quality training for career starters. For us, this new training program not only secures our next generation of cockpit pilots, but also represents an investment in Swiss aviation," says Christoph Zogg, Chief Operating Officer of Edelweiss. "We hope to attract well-qualified young cockpit pilots to Edelweiss and, in return, guarantee the graduates a permanent position in a dynamic and successful company," Zogg continued.

After passing the multi-stage selection process, graduates attend the approximately two-year commercial pilot training program at Swiss Aviation Training (SAT). Upon successful completion, they transfer to Edelweiss and begin training on the Airbus fleet. Edelweiss contributes approximately 40% of the total costs and provides candidates with an interest-free loan to pre-finance their training.

Edelweiss' new "ab initio" commercial pilot training program is aimed at applicants with Swiss citizenship, a C-level settlement permit, or citizens of the EU-25/EFTA states who are between 20 and 30 years old. The minimum requirement is a completed secondary school diploma/university entrance qualification or at least three years of basic vocational training with a federal vocational certificate (EFZ), as well as one year of professional experience/internship or university studies.

Those interested in the new “ab initio” airline pilot training program can now apply to Edelweiss.

For an entire year, a Cobra tram operated by the holiday airline Edelweiss toured various routes through Zurich. True to the slogan "Towards the sun," the tram, painted with the Edelweiss logo, evoked a holiday feeling among passersby. Passengers could embark on a journey of discovery inside the tram on every journey, discovering the Edelweiss destinations described with slogans and pictograms.

According to a market study commissioned by VBZ, the red and white Edelweiss tram with the Alpine flower was the most popular fully advertising tram of all time.

Last year, approximately 1.5 million passengers traveled through Zurich on the Edelweiss tram for approximately 6,000 hours on seven different routes. During the same period, Edelweiss transported 1 million passengers with two long-haul and five short-haul aircraft during approximately 22,000 flight hours to over 40 dream destinations.

Bernd Bauer (48), currently Vice President Revenue Management, Pricing & Distribution at SWISS, will succeed Karl Kistler (61) in the third quarter of 2014, who, after twelve years as CEO of Edelweiss Air, wishes to place this responsibility in new hands.

Bernd Bauer brings 20 years of experience in aviation and has had a successful career in various management positions at SWISS and Crossair.

Born in Tübingen, he began his career after studying business administration in sales at the then Crossair in Germany. After two years, he moved to Crossair's headquarters in Basel, where he held various management positions, particularly in the network division, until 2002. After the founding of SWISS, he played a key role in establishing the network division, which he shaped in the following years as Vice President Network & Fleet Development. In 2008, Bernd Bauer took over as Head of Sales & Marketing Europe. At the beginning of 2013, he was appointed Head of Revenue Management, Pricing & Distribution.

As the project manager responsible for the acquisition of Edelweiss Air in 2008, he gained in-depth knowledge of Edelweiss. "I am delighted that in Bernd we have found an extremely experienced airliner for the position of Edelweiss CEO, who has proven his skills and drive as a leader over his many years at SWISS," says Edelweiss Air Chairman Harry Hohmeister. "We are convinced that Bernd Bauer will further develop Edelweiss in the coming years and continue the company's success story," he added.

At his own request, Charly Kistler will remain with the company in his role as an airline pilot. "Although it's not yet time to bid farewell to Charly Kistler, I would nevertheless like to highlight his great achievements and valuable commitment over his many years as CEO of Edelweiss and express my sincere thanks," says Harry Hohmeister.