Zurich Airport, 9th July 2015

Edelweiss to expand its fleet

Edelweiss, Switzerland’s leading leisure travel airline, is set to expand its fleet over the next few years to include an additional three longhaul aircraft of the type Airbus A340 and a medium-haul aircraft of the type Airbus A320. The Edelweiss fleet will thus encompass 12 aircraft by 2018.

Between 2017 and 2018, the three long-haul aircraft will be transferred from the Edelweiss affiliate Swiss International Airlines to the Edelweiss fleet. “The Airbus A340 is ideally suited for our aircraft fleet as regards passenger capacity and flight range. This expansion is a milestone in our company’s history,” says Edelweiss CEO Bernd Bauer.

The aircraft cabins will be fully converted to offer passengers in Economy, Economy Max and Business Class the customary Edelweiss service and comfort. The additional medium-haul aircraft (Airbus A320) will be operated on the Edelweiss route network as early as November 2015.

Creation of new jobs and a long-term investment in the business location Switzerland

With the start of operations of the already announced new Airbus A330 (set to join the fleet in spring 2016), of the Airbus A320 and of the three Airbus A340s, the Edelweiss fleet will be increased to 12 aircraft.

“Our plans are a major investment and commitment to the business location Switzerland. By expanding the aircraft fleet, Edelweiss will grow considerably and generate 350 new jobs in the coming years,“ Bernd Bauer adds.

Increased frequency and expansion of the route network

The fleet expansion will allow Edelweiss to increase flight frequencies to existing destinations and serve new, up-and-coming holiday destination markets with direct flights. A case in point is the recently announced addition of Rio de Janeiro/Brazil and Calgary/Canada to the Edelweiss route network, effective as of spring 2016.

More information regarding new holiday destinations and details about the cabin layout of the Airbus A340 will follow at a later date.

 

 

Further information:

Andreas Meier
Head of Corporate Communications
Edelweiss Air AG
media@flyedelweiss.com