SWISS starts its new non-stop Zurich-Singapore service

Swiss International Air Lines’ new non-stop service between Zurich and Singapore commenced yesterday evening with the departure of the first eastbound LX 178 flight from Zurich. The new route had previously been formally inaugurated at the departure gate by SWISS CEO Harry Hohmeister and Thomas Kupfer, Switzerland’s ambassador to Singapore. The new destination – its eighth in the region – further strengthens SWISS’s position in the rapidly-growing Asian market.

SWISS launched its new non-stop Zurich-Singapore service yesterday evening when the first eastbound LX 178 flight, operated by an Airbus A340-300 aircraft, took off punctually from Zurich Airport at 22:45. The new route had previously been formally inaugurated at the departure gate by SWISS CEO Harry Hohmeister and Thomas Kupfer, Switzerland’s ambassador to Singapore.

“Our new non-stop service to and from one of Asia’s prime economic hubs will meet the needs of Swiss business and industry and the broader Swiss population alike,” said Harry Hohmeister at the new flight’s inauguration. “Singapore is very important to Switzerland: several hundred Swiss companies have offices or operations there, and it also has a larger Swiss community than most Asian cities.”

As a global financial and commercial centre with major local industries including manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, Singapore is also a key airfreight hub. And in addition to its 219 seats in a three-class cabin configuration, the Airbus A340-300 that will be operated on the new route offers up to 18 tonnes of cargo capacity.

The new route is actually a return for SWISS. The carrier served Singapore from its foundation until spring 2009, though with an intermediate stop in Bangkok.

The schedule:

Zurich – Singapore     LX 178        22:45 – 17:15 (the following day)
Singapore – Zurich     LX 179        23:10 – 06:10 (the following day)