Swiss International Airlines - Swissguide formally apologizes for 2002 midair collision

ZURICH, Switzerland -- A Swiss air traffic control firm has apologized for its errors in a midair collision that killed 71 people, including dozens of Russian schoolchildren, over southern Germany in 2002.

Wednesday's apology came after German investigators published their final report, which detailed a chain of errors that led to the crash between a Russian airliner and DHL cargo jet.

"Skyguide accepts full responsibility for its errors, and extends its sincere apologies to the relatives of the 71 individuals who lost their lives," the Swiss air traffic control firm said in a statement.

ZURICH, Switzerland -- A Swiss air traffic control firm has apologized for its errors in a midair collision that killed 71 people, including dozens of Russian schoolchildren, over southern Germany in 2002.

Wednesday's apology came after German investigators published their final report, which detailed a chain of errors that led to the crash between a Russian airliner and DHL cargo jet.

"Skyguide accepts full responsibility for its errors, and extends its sincere apologies to the relatives of the 71 individuals who lost their lives," the Swiss air traffic control firm said in a statement.


This has NOTHING to do in a forum about SWISS Int. Air Lines and Swiss TravelClub program ! That's like your 2 cents opinion on what you think about the Swiss people, this has nothing to do in such a forum about FFP ! :td:

I agree with pccs, this thread belongs into the Newsstand (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=178)forum.

As Swissguide is air-traffic responsible for all LX flights in Switzerland, I must implore that this is indeed a relevant post for all LX PAX.

Sounds to me like you are a bit sensitive about the Swiss actually being forced by the international community to admit that they made a fatal error. Admitting one's mistakes is a healthy part of the human experience.

As Swissguide is air-traffic responsible for all LX flights in Switzerland, I must implore that this is indeed a relevant post for all LX PAX.

Sounds to me like you are a bit sensitive about the Swiss actually being forced by the international community to admit that they made a fatal error. Admitting one's mistakes is a healthy part of the human experience.

As an non Swiss resident, I think this is relevant to all those who fly in Swiss ATC airspace, which presumably includes many of the world's airlines.

So, maybe it should be in a more general forum, not specific to STC.

Human beings make mistakes - I have always admired air traffic controllers for the difficult job they do in at times almost impossible conditions.

Anyway, that's my humble opinion, for what it's worth.

article from the NZZ (Neue Zürcher Zeitung) (http://www.nzz.ch/2004/05/22/english/page-synd4945005.html)

<<-- A Swiss air traffic control firm has apologized for its errors in a midair collision that killed 71 people, including dozens of Russian schoolchildren, over southern Germany in 2002.>>

This is incorrect. This accident killed 72 people; not 71. The Danish air traffic controller was murdered by a father who lost his daughter and wife. Traggic.