Swiss to cancel 1.5% of its total flight volume during the summer

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is facing significant flight cancellations due to a high number of long-term absences and the need to retrain pilots for the new Airbus A350. Approximately 1,400 flights, which represent about 1.5% of the airline's total operations from April to October, will be affected across various service categories. The airline has also recently negotiated a collective labor agreement that requires an additional 70 full-time staff positions, amid challenges with staffing and pilot availability. To address immediate operational needs, some senior pilots are postponing retirement, while SWISS plans to enhance cockpit training and recruit up to 110 new pilots annually. This effort aligns with the broader recruitment strategy of the airline's parent company, Lufthansa Group, which aims to add around 10,000 new employees across the sector by 2025, including about 800 pilots. Current statistics show SWISS employs 1,361 pilots, up from 1,279 the previous year, yet the representation of women in the cockpit remains low at over 5%, despite 13% of pilot trainees being female.

From a transportation expert's perspective, these staffing challenges underline a critical issue within the aviation industry, which has been struggling with post-pandemic recovery. The proactive approach of retraining and expanding recruitment is essential not only for maintaining operational efficiency but also for improving gender diversity in aviation roles. Longer-term solutions should include comprehensive workforce planning and initiatives designed to attract a more diverse pool of candidates to ensure sustainability in the industry's future.