Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) received its 30th new Airbus A220 (formerly known as the Bombardier C Series) at Zurich Airport at 21:00 on May 24. Aircraft HB-JCU, which is an A220-300, had flown directly from Airbus Canada’s Montreal Mirabel works. Its arrival concludes SWISS’s acquisition program for this advanced short- and medium-haul twinjet with its lower carbon emission credentials.
“With today’s delivery of our thirtieth Airbus A220, we have marked another milestone in the biggest fleet renewal in the history of our company,” said Swiss CEO Dieter Vranckx. “We are proud to now have 30 of these innovative aircraft in our fleet ranks. The Airbus A220 helps give us one of Europe’s most advanced aircraft fleets,” he continued. “This in turn enables us to live up to our environmental responsibilities. And Swiss will continue to invest in advanced aircraft and technologies. To do so, though, we must be able to operate within parameters that allow us to maintain both a competitive edge and an investment capability.”
Swiss now operates nine of the smaller Airbus A220-100s (seating 125 passengers) and 21 of the larger Airbus A220-300s (with 145 passenger seats). The airline was both launching carrier and first operator of the A220, which has been designed and developed from scratch. SWISS thus performed the first commercial flight in the world of an Airbus A220-100, from Zurich to Paris on 15 July 2016.
New benchmarks in environmental care
The innovative short- and medium-haul Airbus A220 has set new benchmarks in terms of both its environmental credentials and its operating cost-effectiveness since it entered SWISS service in July 2016. Its carbon dioxide emissions are more than 20 percent lower than those of predecessor aircraft types. “We have set ourselves the goal of halving our carbon emissions from their 2019 levels by 2030 and being entirely carbon-neutral by 2050,” explained Vranckx. “Investing in the latest aircraft technologies and in synthetic aircraft fuels are two of the most effective levers in reducing our carbon emissions. The Airbus A220 also emits 50 per cent less nitrogen oxide, and is substantially quieter, too, which is appreciated not only by our passengers but also by local airport residents.”
30th Airbus A220 named "Davos"
Swiss’s latest Airbus A220-300, HB-JCU, was formally named "Davos" just after its Zurich arrival in a ceremony attended by Davos Mayor Philipp Wilhelm, Destination Davos Klosters CEO Reto Branschi, Swiss CEO Dieter Vranckx and SWISS pilot and A220 Programme Leader Peter Koch. “As a native of Davos,” Koch said, “I am especially delighted that our thirtieth A220 now bears my home town’s name and will carry it to cities and leisure destinations all over Europe.”
Davos’s representatives were equally pleased. “Aircraft connect the world’s nations and bring people to the country of congresses and vacations that Switzerland is,” said Reto Branschi. “As a byword for holidays, sport, culture, congresses, education and research, Davos is one of the world’s most multi-faceted destinations. And we’re proud that SWISS has now named one of its newest and most advanced aircraft after our town.”
Mayor Wilhelm agreed: “Davos is a place where, for generations now, people from all countries and all cultural circles have met for congresses and research projects of global importance. And an aircraft named ‘Davos’ is a flying ambassador for our cosmopolitan town.”
HB-JCU is expected to perform its first SWISS commercial flight to London on May 29.
