Changi Airport Group welcomes return of SWISS

Changi Airport Group today warmly welcomed the announcement by Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS), the national carrier of Switzerland, of its return to Singapore Changi Airport with the introduction of a daily non-stop service between Zurich and Singapore starting from May 2013. 

With the commencement of SWISS’ Singapore-Zurich service, Singapore will be linked to over 50 cities in Europe.  The new service adds an additional 1,500 weekly one-way seats, boosting capacity on the route by 54%.  It will also provide more options for travellers from Singapore heading for Switzerland and Europe, and allow passengers from Switzerland to tap on Changi’s excellent connectivity to Southeast Asia and the Southwest Pacific. 

Zurich is the commercial hub of Switzerland and a global financial centre.  Passenger traffic between Singapore and Switzerland has been growing steadily over the years, increasing by 5% in 2011, and 15% in the first six months of 2012.  There are strong links between the Swiss and Singapore economies, and Singapore is host to the largest and fastest growing Swiss community in Southeast Asia[1].  Singapore is also the largest Southeast Asian market for Switzerland, accounting for 35% of total tourist arrivals from this region[2]. 

SWISS operated a six-weekly Singapore-Bangkok-Zurich service until April 2009.  It will operate the new Singapore-Zurich service with A340-300 aircraft in a 3-class configuration.  Details of the flights are as follow:

Flight No.  Route                  STD*            STA*                  Day of Ops
LX178        Zurich-Singapore   2245 hours    1710 hours (+1)   Daily
LX179        Singapore-Zurich   2305 hours    0610 hours (+1)   Daily

* Local time

The early morning arrival in Zurich allows passengers more choice for onward connection to other Swiss cities as well as the rest of Europe.  In total, some 50,000 one-way seats each week will be available for passengers from Singapore to Europe come May 2013. 

Changi Airport Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Lee Seow Hiang said, “CAG is delighted with SWISS’ decision to launch its new Singapore service. CAG has been closely engaging the airline over the past two years, with the senior management teams of both companies having held several rounds of discussions both in Singapore and in Zurich. We are confident that the combination of SWISS's strong branding and product, together with Changi's connectivity in Southeast Asia and Southwest Pacific, will make the new service a success. CAG will work closely with SWISS and Switzerland Tourism to jointly market and promote the new service."  

[1] Embassy of Switzerland in Singapore

[2] Switzerland Tourism