SWISS announces new ex-Geneva fares and destinations

Swiss International Air Lines is to offer its customers from Geneva an innovative new fare system from 1 September onwards. SWISS will also be expanding its network of non-stop services from Geneva Airport to 24 destinations. Both actions are intended to align SWISS’s Geneva-based product even more closely to the needs of customers in Western Switzerland and adjacent French border areas.

Sunday 1 September will mark a new beginning for direct flights within Europe from Geneva Airport. Not only will SWISS customers enjoy a broader range of services; they will also be offered new “Geneva Economy Flex” and “Geneva Economy Light” fares. The new fares are bookable with immediate effect.

Network expansion

SWISS will be adding six further destinations to its Geneva-based network this autumn: Stockholm (served four times weekly), Oslo (thrice weekly), London Gatwick (thrice weekly), Gothenburg (twice weekly), Belgrade (twice weekly) and Marrakesh (twice weekly). SWISS will also be turning its present summer-season services between Geneva and Malaga, Palma de Mallorca and Porto into year-round operations.

“Our expanded network with its attractive destinations will be even better tailored to the needs of our customers in the Geneva region,” says SWISS Chief Operating Officer Rainer Hiltebrand, who is in overall charge of the development of the company’s Geneva operations. The additions will enlarge SWISS’s Geneva-based network to 24 destinations, which will be served by a nine-aircraft fleet.

New Geneva fare offers, too

SWISS customers travelling from Geneva will also enjoy a new fare concept that replaces the current pricing model. In one major innovation here, both round-trip and one-way fares will be offered.

The new Geneva Economy Flex fare offers European travel from Geneva for as little as CHF 89 one-way. The new fare offers greater flexibility, too, since bookings can be modified at no additional fee; and one piece of registered baggage is included in the fare.

The new Geneva Economy Light fare offers European travel from Geneva for as little as CHF 39 one-way. One piece of carry-on baggage is included in the fare. Bookings here cannot be changed or cancelled once they have been made.

All the new fares can be booked now for any European flight from Geneva (except to Barcelona, Moscow, St. Petersburg and Zurich) from 1 September onwards. “In adopting this fare concept for our Geneva services, we’re really taking an innovative new path in our pricing policy,” says SWISS COO Rainer Hiltebrand. “And needless to say,” he continues, “all these attractive offers will still provide the customer with all our usual top SWISS quality.”

150 new jobs

SWISS is also expanding its organization in Geneva to further strengthen its local presence and profile. Additional business development and marketing communications personnel have been recruited; and SWISS is further creating a local cabin crew base for 150 new flight attendants. “Our training of these new crew members will begin in October,” Hiltebrand adds. “And our Geneva operations will be supported from Zurich until the new crew base is up to full strength.”

SWISS remains SWISS

The new actions planned for Western Switzerland and adjacent French border areas do not represent any deviation from SWISS’s declared quality strategy. The airline will carry on striving to provide an all-inclusive air travel service product systemwide. “We aim to continue to meet our customers’ wishes and demands to the very best of our abilities,” Hiltebrand confirms. “And by offering these tailored products, we should be able to align our services even more closely to the needs of our regional francophone market.”