Swiss leaves Singapore after 40 years

Published: 02/04/2009 - Filed under: News »

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Swiss will stop flying to Singapore next month after serving the City State over a period of four decades.

The last Swiss flight to Singapore will be LX 182 from Zurich at 2245 on April 25. The final flight out of Singapore will be LX183 at 2050 on the following day. Services are operated by A340-300 craft and are used by European travellers making connections through Swiss’ Zurich hub.

Swiss’ Singapore service currently operates with an en route stop in Bangkok. The Zurich-Bangkok service, except for a change of flight number, will remain unchanged.

The move to withdraw from the Singapore market is in response to market conditions. The City State has entered recession and flag-carrier SIA, one of the world’s finest airlines, is having a tough time as we have reported in recent weeks.

In addition, Swiss’ six times a week Zurich-Singapore service faces ferocious competition from rival SIA (Singapore Airlines).

Not only does Swiss not operate the route non-stop (unlike SIA) but the Singaporean carrier operates twice daily using newer B777-300ERs which feature the latest premium products.

In a brief statement issued today, Swiss says “We are modifying our present pattern of services to and from the Far East in response to recent trends and changes in demand. Singapore can continue to be reached non-stop from Zurich thanks to the two daily services provided by Singapore Airlines, Swiss’ Star Alliance partner.”

For more information go to swiss.com

Report by Alex McWhirter

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