Editing Swiss International Air Lines (section)

==History==
[[File:Swiss International Air Lines.svg|thumb|Swiss International Air Lines' first logo, used from 2002 to 2011.]]
[[File:259cm - Swiss MD-11, HB-IWC@ZRH,21.09.2003 - Flickr - Aero Icarus.jpg|thumb|Swiss originally took over several [[McDonnell Douglas MD-11]] from its [[Swissair|predecessor]].]]
[[File:Airbus-SWISS edit.jpg|thumb|Three [[Airbus]] [[aircraft]] of Swiss: an [[Airbus A319-100|A319-100]], [[Airbus A320-200|A320-200]], and [[Airbus A330-200|A330-200]], all painted in the airline's first livery.]]
[[File:Swiss, HB-JNG, Boeing 777-3DE ER (25267919527).jpg|thumb|A Swiss [[Boeing 777-300ER]], the airline's largest aircraft, in the revised livery with larger [[billboard]] titles.]]
{{More citations needed section|date=December 2009}}

===Beginnings===
Swiss was formed after the 2002 bankruptcy of [[Swissair]], Switzerland's former flag carrier.<ref>{{Cite news |date=31 January 2002 |title=New Swissair to be simply 'swiss' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1793289.stm |access-date=15 April 2024 |work=[[BBC News]] |publisher=[[BBC]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> Forty percent of Crossair's income came from Swissair.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.planetairlines.net/swiss.html|access-date=30 January 2020|title=Airline Beginnings}}</ref> The new airline lost US$1.6 billion from 2002 to 2005. Swissair's biggest creditors, [[Credit Suisse]] and [[UBS]], sold part of Swissair's assets to Crossair, which had been Swissair's regional counterpart. At the time, both Swissair and Crossair were part of the same holding company, SAirGroup. Crossair later changed its name to ''Swiss International Air Lines'', and the new national airline officially started operations on 31 March 2002. The airline was initially owned by institutional investors (61.3%), the [[Switzerland|Swiss Confederation]] (20.3%), [[Cantons of Switzerland|cantons]] and [[Municipalities of Switzerland|communities]] (12.2%), and others (6.2%). Swiss also owns subsidiaries Swiss Sun (100%) and [[Crossair Europe]] (99.9%). It has a total of 7,383 employees.<ref name="Swiss - Facts & Figures"/>

According to Marcel Biedermann, the managing director of intercontinental markets for Swiss, there were three possibilities: stay independent as a niche carrier, shrink to an unrecognisable level, or attach to another airline group. The last choice was taken. Swiss talked to [[Air France–KLM]], [[British Airways]], and [[Lufthansa]]. However, Swiss was tied up with debt and an uncertain future and seemed to be an unattractive investment. After merging with [[KLM]], [[Air France]] said they were too busy to deal with the Swiss joining them{{dubious|date=July 2017}}. [[British Airways]] was open, and [[Oneworld]] partners thought [[Zurich Airport]] would be a viable alternative hub for [[Heathrow Airport|London Heathrow]].

After almost a year of disputes, Swiss was finally accepted into the [[Oneworld]] [[airline alliance]], after having been blocked by [[British Airways]], which competes with Swiss on many long-haul routes. On 3 June 2004, Swiss announced its decision not to join [[Oneworld]] because they did not want to integrate their current [[frequent flyer program]] into [[British Airways]]' [[Executive Club]]. Furthermore, Swiss thought the relationship was one-sided, where British Airways sapped out the benefits of the airline, but they would get no return.

===Recovery===
The airline annually halved its losses, and in 2006 recorded a net profit of $220 million. The net profit for 2007 was $570 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.alleseuropa.net/swiss-resumes-regular-flight-operations-on-thursday/|access-date=30 January 2020|title=Swiss resumes regular flight operations on Thursday.}}{{Dead link|date=February 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Biedermann stated in the March 2008 edition of ''Airways'', that "this was the beginning of getting our house back in order." He said that help was needed and looked up to Lufthansa as a comparison, so their coming together was natural, even with their differences. Even with the smaller network, Swiss carried the same number of passengers as it did in 2002.

On 22 March 2005, [[Lufthansa Group]] confirmed its plan to take over Swiss, starting with a minority stake (11%) in a new company set up to hold Swiss shares called Air Trust. ''Swiss'' operations were gradually integrated with Lufthansa's in late 2005, and the takeover was completed on 1 July 2007. Swiss joined [[Star Alliance]] and became a member of Lufthansa's [[Miles and More]] frequent flyer program on 1 April 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.swiss.com/corporate/EN/media/newsroom/press-releases/press-release-20060331#|access-date=30 January 2020|title=Swiss TravelClub becomes Miles & More|archive-date=10 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810143115/https://www.swiss.com/corporate/EN/media/newsroom/press-releases/press-release-20060331|url-status=live}}</ref>

The airline set up a [[regional airline]] subsidiary called [[Swiss Global Air Lines|Swiss European Air Lines]]. The carrier had its own air operator's certificate. Two divisions – Swiss Aviation Training and Swiss WorldCargo (using the belly capacity of passenger planes) – are also owned by Swiss. Swiss European Air Lines (later renamed Swiss Global Air Lines) has since ceased operations and merged with its parent, Swiss.

In 2008, Swiss International Air Lines acquired [[Edelweiss Air]]<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.swiss.com/web/EN/about_swiss/media/press_releases/2008/Pages/pr_20080208.aspx |title=Kuoni and SWISS enter into strategic partnership |access-date=19 December 2010 |archive-date=29 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229175712/http://www.swiss.com/web/EN/about_swiss/media/press_releases/2008/Pages/pr_20080208.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.swiss.com/web/EN/about_swiss/media/press_releases/2008/Pages/pr_20080417.aspx |title=WEKO approves the acquisition of Edelweiss Air by SWISS |access-date=19 December 2010 |archive-date=29 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229180016/http://www.swiss.com/web/EN/about_swiss/media/press_releases/2008/Pages/pr_20080417.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> and Servair,<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.swiss.com/web/EN/about_swiss/media/press_releases/2008/Pages/pr_20080718.aspx |title=SWISS acquires Servair to operate as Swiss Private Aviation |access-date=19 December 2010 |archive-date=29 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029201839/http://www.swiss.com/web/EN/about_swiss/media/press_releases/2008/Pages/pr_20080718.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> later renamed [[Swiss Private Aviation]]. In February 2011, Swiss Private Aviation ceased operations as a result of restructuring. The company recommended using Lufthansa Private Jet Service instead.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.swiss-private-aviation.com/en/index.html|title=Goodbye, with gratitude|access-date=20 May 2011|archive-date=11 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090511003511/http://www.swiss-private-aviation.com/en/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2007, Swiss ordered nine [[Airbus A330-300]]s to gradually replace existing A330-200s and have three-class seating. The first A330-300 was put into service on the flagship Zürich to New York-JFK route in April 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/swiss-looks-forward-with-new-a330-300-premium-offerings/86073.article|access-date=30 January 2020|title=Swiss looks forward with new A330-300 premium offerings|archive-date=30 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130165115/https://www.flightglobal.com/swiss-looks-forward-with-new-a330-300-premium-offerings/86073.article|url-status=live}}</ref> In spring 2010 Swiss operated five A330-300s on medium and long-haul routes. The remaining four A330-300 aircraft joined the fleet in 2011.

===Takeover by Lufthansa===
Following Lufthansa Group's takeover,<ref name="lufthansagroup">{{cite web|url=http://www.swiss.com/web/en/about_swiss/media/press_releases/2005/Pages/pr_20050322.aspx |access-date=27 July 2009 |url-status=dead | title=SWISS takes off into a new future with Lufthansa | date=2005 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081024215005/http://www.swiss.com/web/EN/about_swiss/media/press_releases/2005/Pages/pr_20050322.aspx |archive-date=24 October 2008 }}</ref> the regional fleet was changed from Crossair's [[Embraer]] [[Embraer ERJ family|ERJs]], [[Saab 340]]s, and [[Saab 2000|2000s]] to [[British Aerospace 146|Avro RJs]], which were flown by a wholly owned [[subsidiary]], [[Swiss Global Air Lines]]. The rest of the fleet was rationalised and now mainly consists of Airbus aircraft, apart from the [[Boeing 777]]. Swiss also renegotiated their supplier contracts, including [[Aircraft ground handling|ground handling]], [[Aircraft maintenance|maintenance]], food service, and labour. Swiss shareholders received a performance-based option for their shares. The payment was in 2008, and the amount depended on how well Lufthansa's shares compared with competitors' shares. Lufthansa continues to maintain Swiss as a separate brand.

In 2010, Swiss and Lufthansa were named in a [[European Commission]] investigation into price-fixing but were not fined due to acting as a [[Whistleblowing|whistleblower]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/11/09/349520/eleven-airlines-fined-in-european-cargo-cartel-investigation.html|access-date=10 November 2010|title=Eleven airlines fined in European cargo cartel investigation|archive-date=12 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101112051132/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/11/09/349520/eleven-airlines-fined-in-european-cargo-cartel-investigation.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 18 August 2011, Swiss introduced a new company logo<ref>{{Cite press release |title=SWISS reinforce son positionnement et affine son image de marque |publisher=Swiss |language=fr |trans-title=SWISS strengthens its positioning and refines its brand image |date=4 October 2011 |url=http://www.swiss.com/web/EN/about_swiss/media/press_releases/Pages/pr_20110818.aspx?1317743663367&Country=CH}}{{Dead link|date=April 2024}}</ref> which resembled the logo of the defunct [[Swissair]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 August 2011 |title=New logo: Swiss International Air Lines |url=http://brandingsource.blogspot.com/2011/08/new-logo-swiss-international-air-lines.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105013348/http://brandingsource.blogspot.com/2011/08/new-logo-swiss-international-air-lines.html |archive-date=5 November 2011 |access-date=4 October 2011}}</ref>

=== COVID-19 losses and bailout ===
Swiss was severely affected by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. It reported revenues for 2020 of CHF 1.85 billion, which were 65.2% below its prior-year level.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 March 2021 |title=SWISS reports substantial loss for 2020 owing to pandemic |url=https://swiss.newsmarket.com/english/press-releases/swiss-reports-substantial-loss-for-2020-owing-to-pandemic/s/0e121c18-80ca-4d9d-8b04-2b83c072ff1f |access-date=26 June 2024 |website=Newsroom |language=en}}</ref>

In August 2020, Swiss received a CHF1.5 billion ($1.65 billion) state-backed loan from the Swiss government to weather the pandemic. The use of Swiss state funds was criticized by some commentators because Swiss is a fully-owned subsidiary of German airline Lufthansa, making questions regarding its survival the responsibility of the German government, which had similarly lent a helping hand to Lufthansa during the pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web |last=swissinfo.ch |first=S. W. I. |date=18 August 2020 |title=Germany gives green light to Swiss airline bailout |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/germany-gives-green-light-to-swiss-airline-bailout/45974796 |access-date=26 June 2024 |website=SWI swissinfo.ch |language=en-GB}}</ref>

On 18 November 2020, it was announced that Dieter Vranckx would assume the position of CEO as of 1 January 2021. Vranckx has 20 years of experience within the Lufthansa Group and has been CEO of Lufthansa Group member [[Brussels Airlines]] since the start of 2020.<ref name="avpro18nov2020">{{cite web|url=https://www.aviationpros.com/aircraft/business-general-aviation/press-release/21163315/swiss-international-air-lines-dieter-vranckx-appointed-as-swisss-new-ceo|title=Dieter Vranckx appointed as SWISS's new CEO|publisher=Aviation Pros|date=18 November 2020|access-date=24 November 2020|archive-date=18 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118220644/https://www.aviationpros.com/aircraft/business-general-aviation/press-release/21163315/swiss-international-air-lines-dieter-vranckx-appointed-as-swisss-new-ceo|url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2024, it was announced that Vranckx would step down by the end of the month and be replaced by German national and [[Lufthansa CityLine]] Managing Director, Jens Fehlinger.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |last=swissinfo.ch |first=S. W. I. |date=28 June 2024 |title=SWISS appoints Jens Fehlinger as new CEO |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-made/swiss-appoints-jens-fehlinger-as-new-ceo/82063356 |access-date=6 July 2024 |website=SWI swissinfo.ch |language=en-GB}}</ref> Fehlinger will assume office in October 2024, and until then Swiss will be temporarily led by Head of Commercial, Heike Birlenbach. Dieter Vranckx transferred to the executive board of parent company Lufthansa on 1 July 2024, and remains with Swiss as vice chairman of its board of directors.<ref name="auto"/>

=== Expansion of flight operations ===
On 16 January 2025, it was reported that Swiss will resume its flight operation to [[Tel Aviv]] from 1 February 2025. The airline will fly daily from [[Zurich]] to Tel Aviv using its [[Airbus A320 family|Airbus A320]] aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web |last=swissinfo.ch |first=S. W. I. |date=16 January 2025 |title=SWISS resumes flights to Tel Aviv |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/various/swiss-resumes-flight-operations-to-tel-aviv/88732667 |access-date=19 January 2025 |website=SWI swissinfo.ch |language=en-GB}}</ref>