ZURICH- SWISS International Air Lines (LX) cancels 1400 flights scheduled between April and October 2025, citing a persistent pilot shortage and internal planning misjudgments.
The reduction impacts both long-haul and European short/medium-haul routes, including a major cut in service to Chicago (ORD), where flight frequency will be halved in September and October.
Photo: SWISS International Air LinesSWISS Cancels 1400 Flights
Swiss International Air Lines faces a significant operational challenge as it cuts 1,400 flights, representing 1.5% of its schedule from April to October.
The flight cancellations, first reported by Aerotelegraph and confirmed by a SWISS spokesperson to the AWP news agency, are due to a shortage of cockpit crew.
Some long-haul routes, like Zurich (ZRH) to Chicago (ORD), will have flights cut in half during September and October. Short and medium-haul flights across Europe are also affected.
SWISS says the problem comes from planning that was too optimistic, along with unexpected crew absences, including pregnancies and accidents.
On top of that, pilot retraining for the new Airbus A350 fleet is putting extra pressure on staffing.
A new labor agreement that improves working conditions has also raised the need for about 70 more full-time pilots.
This agreement, while beneficial for employees, has compounded the shortage. Fleet challenges further complicate operations.
For instance, engine issues with the Airbus A220 limit aircraft availability, despite sufficient Airbus A320s.
However, the lack of trained crew for these aircraft hinders deployment. SWISS has exhausted external support options, such as leasing partners or assistance from parent company Lufthansa.
Photo: By TJDarmstadt – HB-JBD Swiss A220 FRA, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=79442644Strategies to Mitigate the Crisis
To address the immediate shortfall, SWISS is implementing short-term measures. Some senior pilots are delaying retirement, and part-time staff are temporarily increasing their hours.
These efforts aim to stabilize operations during the busy summer season. Looking ahead, SWISS plans to bolster its workforce by expanding cockpit training capacity and recruiting up to 110 new pilots annually.
This long-term strategy seeks to prevent future disruptions and ensure sufficient staffing for its growing fleet, including the Airbus A350.
Photo: Aviation MultiverseImpact on Travelers
The cancellations disrupt travel plans for thousands of passengers, particularly those on long-haul routes like Zurich (ZRH) to Chicago (ORD).
SWISS is working to rebook affected customers, but the reduced capacity may lead to higher fares and limited options during peak travel months.
The pilot shortage reflects a broader industry challenge, as airlines worldwide grapple with post-pandemic recovery, increased demand, and workforce constraints.
SWISS’s proactive steps, such as enhanced training and hiring, position it to navigate these challenges, but the immediate impact on its summer schedule underscores the severity of the issue.
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SWISS Begins Training First Pilots for New Airbus A350
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