SWISS INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES, the beleaguered carrier, has devised a severe cost-cutting scheme that includes reducing its workforce by 800 to 1,000.
The plan, to be carried out over the next 18 months, will downsize the Swiss fleet by a minimum of 13 regional aircraft and restructure key routes in Basel, Geneva and Zurich.
SWISS intends to expand its Zurich-based network through code share partners, and deploy larger equipment on certain routes in an effort to reduce its unit costs and compete with low-fare carriers.
The airline also will transfer a large number of the routes currently operated from Basel to partner airlines in 2006.
Swiss will analyse unsuccessful routes in Geneva, and transfer routes to code share partners where appropriate.
Meanwhile, Swiss remains committed to the development of Europe Continental Airways (ECA), its French-based subsidiary.
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