SWISS to Operate More Flights with Own Aircraft

SWISS, a Lufthansa Group company, plans to operate more flights using its own aircraft and crews starting in the summer of 2027. The carrier will reduce its fleet of leased aircraft with crews from 26 in the summer of 2026 to about 18, ending its cooperation with airBaltic by the end of the 2026-2027 winter season.

Shift from Leased Aircraft

The change comes after SWISS relied on partner airlines to compensate for operational constraints. In a statement on October 27, the Swiss carrier announced its goal of operating "significantly more flights with its own resources." The company said it will decrease its use of wet lease agreements—leasing aircraft with their crews—by up to eight aircraft compared to the previous summer.

Improved Operational Resources

The change in strategy is based on an improvement in SWISS's operational resources. In recent years, the company had faced shortages of Pratt & Whitney engines, additional training needs, and limited cockpit resources, which increased its reliance on external aircraft and crews. The situation is now gradually improving, though not fully resolved.

More In-House Aircraft Possible

A spokesperson for SWISS told aeroTELEGRAPH that the company would be able to operate approximately seven additional Airbus A320 aircraft in-house next summer due to better engine and crew availability. However, CEO Jens Fehlinger emphasized that this requires adequate operational conditions, sufficient crew members, and early planning.

Focus on Long-Term Partner

The reduction in leased aircraft does not mean their abandonment. SWISS intends to focus its remaining needs on Helvetic Airways, its long-term partner. The company describes this cooperation as a way to maintain stable operations while responding to seasonal demand variations and short-term operational needs.

Redistribution of Aircraft Sources

Comparing the summer of 2026 with the planned summer of 2027 highlights the redistribution: SWISS had used 15 aircraft from Helvetic, ten from airBaltic, and one from Edelweiss, totaling 26 aircraft. The eight fewer leased aircraft correspond to the departure of airBaltic and the strengthening of Helvetic.

No Network Reduction Announced

SWISS presents this reorganization as the result of an improvement in its own operational capabilities. When asked about the economic difficulties of airBaltic, its spokesperson indicated to aeroTELEGRAPH that the decision was mainly linked to the development of the Swiss company: "The fact that we will no longer use airBaltic aircraft from the summer of 2027 is mainly linked to our own development."

Network Expansion Plans

The withdrawal of the Latvian partner does not, at this stage, accompany an announced reduction in the network. SWISS plans to serve 95 destinations from Zurich in the summer of 2027, two more than in the summer of 2026: 69 in Europe and 26 on the intercontinental network. An extension of the offer from Geneva is also planned, with details announced for November.