Oneworld
Mar 19, 2002 | 1:22 pm
#31
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Belgium
Programs: QR platinum
Posts: 649
Posted in the American Airlines Forum, by MiamiFlyer: "candidates are understood to be American and Delta "
SWISS EXPECTS SMALLER LOSS; FLEET ANNOUNCEMENT IMMINENT
Aviation Daily – 19 March
Swiss, the newly formed national carrier of Switzerland, will post a significantly smaller loss than expected for the year 2002, according to CEO Andre Dose. The airline's load factor on long-haul routes is far ahead of projections, Dose said at the International Tourism Exchange (ITB) in Berlin.
The Swiss business plan was based on the assumption that the airline would report a CHF1 billion loss. Also, Swissair is likely not to use up the CHF1 billion that the Swiss government injected so that flight operations could be continued until April. Dose said he would make a decision on a bilateral alliance with a U.S. carrier by monthend. "I have two contracts on my table ready to be signed," he said. Although Dose did not disclose the identity, the leading candidates are understood to be American and Delta. Swiss also aims at becoming a member of either oneworld or SkyTeam, but Dose pointed out that it was of critical importance to move ahead with a bilateral alliance with a U.S. carrier quickly. Swiss and its partner would have to file a new application for antitrust immunity.
The new carrier has made a decision on the early replacement of 13 MD-11s that it will integrate as of April 1, but Dose declined to disclose his choice, referring to the airline's annual news conference March 26. Swiss has evaluated the Airbus A340-300 and the Boeing 777. Dose said the A340 offered communality with the A330-200s that will make up the other half of the long-haul fleet, but the 777 has more capacity and provides opportunities for traffic growth. Industry sources believe that Swiss will opt for the A340s.Nine aircraft are scheduled to be taken over in 2003. Dose said the MD-11 is a very expensive aircraft to operate and maintain. In his view, the aircraft's image has suffered specifically in Switzerland since the 1998 Swissair crash off the coast of Nova Scotia near Halifax. Swiss is expected to sign a wage agreement with its ground staff today, having already signed one with cabin crew. Dose said he is confident that a solution in the dispute with the former Crossair pilots can be found.
SWISS EXPECTS SMALLER LOSS; FLEET ANNOUNCEMENT IMMINENT
Aviation Daily – 19 March
Swiss, the newly formed national carrier of Switzerland, will post a significantly smaller loss than expected for the year 2002, according to CEO Andre Dose. The airline's load factor on long-haul routes is far ahead of projections, Dose said at the International Tourism Exchange (ITB) in Berlin.
The Swiss business plan was based on the assumption that the airline would report a CHF1 billion loss. Also, Swissair is likely not to use up the CHF1 billion that the Swiss government injected so that flight operations could be continued until April. Dose said he would make a decision on a bilateral alliance with a U.S. carrier by monthend. "I have two contracts on my table ready to be signed," he said. Although Dose did not disclose the identity, the leading candidates are understood to be American and Delta. Swiss also aims at becoming a member of either oneworld or SkyTeam, but Dose pointed out that it was of critical importance to move ahead with a bilateral alliance with a U.S. carrier quickly. Swiss and its partner would have to file a new application for antitrust immunity.
The new carrier has made a decision on the early replacement of 13 MD-11s that it will integrate as of April 1, but Dose declined to disclose his choice, referring to the airline's annual news conference March 26. Swiss has evaluated the Airbus A340-300 and the Boeing 777. Dose said the A340 offered communality with the A330-200s that will make up the other half of the long-haul fleet, but the 777 has more capacity and provides opportunities for traffic growth. Industry sources believe that Swiss will opt for the A340s.Nine aircraft are scheduled to be taken over in 2003. Dose said the MD-11 is a very expensive aircraft to operate and maintain. In his view, the aircraft's image has suffered specifically in Switzerland since the 1998 Swissair crash off the coast of Nova Scotia near Halifax. Swiss is expected to sign a wage agreement with its ground staff today, having already signed one with cabin crew. Dose said he is confident that a solution in the dispute with the former Crossair pilots can be found.
Mar 19, 2002 | 5:18 pm
#32
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: London, UK
Posts: 652
http://globalarchive.ft.com/globalar...query=Crossair
Crossair AG, to be renamed 'Swiss' as of April 1, has reached a wage agreement with its ground handling staff, the airline said.
The agreement concerns around 2,300 staff and is valid for three years.
The minimum wage will be raised to 3,250 sfr from 2,700, the weekly number of working hours reduced to 41 hours from 42.5 and the retirement age reduced to 63 from 65.
Crossair earlier reached wage agreements with Swissair's pilots and cabin crews.
Crossair AG, to be renamed 'Swiss' as of April 1, has reached a wage agreement with its ground handling staff, the airline said.
The agreement concerns around 2,300 staff and is valid for three years.
The minimum wage will be raised to 3,250 sfr from 2,700, the weekly number of working hours reduced to 41 hours from 42.5 and the retirement age reduced to 63 from 65.
Crossair earlier reached wage agreements with Swissair's pilots and cabin crews.
Mar 20, 2002 | 6:00 am
#34
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Zurich
Programs: M&M FTL, HHonors Diamond, Langham Elite, SPG Corporate Preferred
Posts: 470
Well, if Continental is still in the picture, does anybody have any experience with that airline ? I checked their website and their BusinessFirst product looks very appealing. A BusinessFirst transatlantic award requires 100'000 miles and gives you a whole lot more than Swissair or AA Business.
Mar 20, 2002 | 10:35 am
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,858
I was looking into (and still reeavaluate) Continental after UA abandoned ZRH. While CO's U.S. domestic programm is very attractive (e.g. generous, unlimited upgrades) the major drawbacks for intercontinental flyers seem to be:
- limited upgrade program: confirmation only 30 days or less before flight, no complimentary systemwide upgrade certs,
- only 2-class aircraft configuration: no possibilty to upgrade from C to F, limited upgrade potential due to unfavorable C/Y seat ratio
- reported difficulties in booking business class award seats in the first place
While I am open to and willing to lear about CO program changes/improvements, sofar I decided to stick with * alliance.
[This message has been edited by cesco.g (edited 03-20-2002).]
- limited upgrade program: confirmation only 30 days or less before flight, no complimentary systemwide upgrade certs,
- only 2-class aircraft configuration: no possibilty to upgrade from C to F, limited upgrade potential due to unfavorable C/Y seat ratio
- reported difficulties in booking business class award seats in the first place
While I am open to and willing to lear about CO program changes/improvements, sofar I decided to stick with * alliance.
[This message has been edited by cesco.g (edited 03-20-2002).]