Swiss Head of Commerce considers punctuality rate of 70% achievable
Published: Tuesday, Nov 12th 2024, 15:10
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The airline Swiss is working flat out on its image. "We want to live up to the premium claim," emphasized Head of Commercial Heike Birlenbach at a media briefing on Tuesday.
Customers should get the impression that Swiss deserves to be called "premium". According to Birlenbach, the airline is constantly analyzing customer feedback. And it turns out that punctuality is very strongly associated with "premium" in the minds of passengers.
"However, we are currently not as punctual as we and our customers would like," said Birlenbach. The problem is well known and Birlenbach and her colleagues from Swiss management repeatedly emphasize that in many cases this is not Swiss' fault. "We are dependent on many parties and there are bottlenecks at various points." Two thirds of the delays are due to European air traffic control and persistent bottlenecks in the airspace.
However, if the weather shows its friendly side by the end of the year - i.e. not too much breeze or thunderstorms - the company will be able to achieve its self-imposed target of a punctuality rate of 70 percent, says Birlenbach. "But this figure will not be sustainable."
In other words, many delays are still to be expected. "The systems around us are very fragile, which is why we need to continue to hold intensive discussions with all parties involved," said Birlenbach. In the longer term, the punctuality rate of 70 percent is still only an interim goal.
News for Economy passengers
Birlenbach did not say much about the new "Swiss Senses" concept, which is due to be launched in 2025. It is already known that there will be a new cabin interior.
However, as Birlenbach emphasized, there is still "a lot more to look forward to". The offer on long-haul routes will be improved, starting with Economy Class, she said. More detailed information would follow next week.
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