Keep Your Summer Vacation Dreams Grounded: Swiss Lufthansa Subsidiary Cancels 1,400 Flights Amid Pilot Shortage
Thousands of flights operated by Swiss, a Lufthansa subsidiary, face cancellation this summer.
Hopping on a flight to unwind this summer? Better think twice if you're planning to jet-set with Swiss, the Lufthansa subsidiary. You might end up watching more clouds from the ground than cruising above them.
That's because Swiss has decided to axe over 1,400 flights between April and October due to a potential crisis in their cockpit crew. Yep, you read that right—over 1,400 flights are getting the axe, which equates to an alarming 1.5% of their flight schedule[1][2].
So, what's causing this disruption? It seems this pilot shortage is linked to a delightful cocktail of surprise happenings and overly optimistic flight planning[1]. You've got pilots skipping duties due to pregnancies, accidents, and more, not to mention the new Airbus A350 needing some crew TLC[1]. And let's not forget the spanking new collective labor agreement with those fancy work time regulations that's hankering for a stronger cockpit crew[1].
Adding fuel to the fire, the maintenance of Airbus A220 jets is facing engine issues[1], while Swiss's cupboard may be full of A320 medium-haul jets, but they've got empty pilots' seats[1]. Now, you might think bringing in some reinforcements from Lufthansa or their airline pals would be a no-brainer, but it seems they've already reached their helping hand limits[1].
But fear not! Swiss ain't going down without a fight. They've managed to strong-arm some older pilots back in the cockpit, and convinced part-timers to take on more shifts[1]. And for those long-term concerns about this gripping pilot issue, Swiss plans to double its pilot training capacity in the cockpit and recruit a whopping 110 new pilots a year[1].
So, buckle up and cross your fingers if you're hoping to fly Swiss this summer. And hey, maybe you'll have that much-needed vacation time to catch up on some reading or crafting instead!
Sources:
- ntv.de
- als/dpa
Amid the pilot shortage at Swiss, a Lufthansa subsidiary, the community policy for vocational training is being emphasized to double the number of pilots trained annually, from 110 new pilots. It's possible that instead of traveling this summer, one might find alternate ways to improve their lifestyle, such as reading or crafting due to flight disruptions.
