Swiss International Air Lines increased its total income from operating activities to CHF3.707 billion ($4.218 billion) for the first nine months of 2011, a five per cent improvement on the prior-year period. Thanks to strong demand and high fleet utilisation, Swiss also posted a CHF159 million ($181 million) profit for the third-quarter period. As a result, operating profit for the first nine months of 2011 amounted to CHF288 million ($328 million), 24 per cent up on the same period last year. The airline saw a traffic growth of 8.3 per cent for the first 11 months of 2011compared to last year reflecting 14,122,681 passengers.
UAE sales experienced 12 per cent passenger growth while revenues rose 10 per cent in the first nine months over the same period last year. Martin Massüger, director, head of sales Middle East, Africa, Pakistan & Iran for Swiss said, “Globally, we’ve been affected by many factors including natural and man-made disruptions. In the Dubai/Muscat route, our seat load factor is stable in the high seventies – just about the same as last year. In Egypt, we recorded a drop of 12 per cent versus previous year due to the uprising and political instability.
”We didn’t see any negative impact here in the UAE and in Oman. But again, our Cairo operation suffered during the unrests and remains challenged under the current situation.
While there are no announced plans, Swiss continue to study the possibility of adding more destinations in the region to their network. The airline will continue to invest in its aircraft fleet in 2012.
“January saw the delivery of an eleventh Airbus A330-300, with two further A330-300s due to arrive in February and October. Two new Airbus A320s will also join the fleet in spring. Swiss will be adding its 25th intercontinental destination in February with the start of Zurich-Beijing flights. A new service will also be offered on the Geneva-Nice route, while frequencies will be additionally increased to London, Moscow and Madrid,” he added.
Guests flying Swiss will have much to look forward to in the New Year. Among them Massüger added, “The “Swiss Taste of Switzerland” program will allow passengers to look forward to gourmet delights from featured hotel partners for a truly enjoyable meal experience. “We are taking a cautious stance for 2012 as we’re presented with market volatilities,” he concluded.