Swissair - Zurich, Switzerland

Former Swiss National carrier, pre-decessor of Swiss International Air Lines. Operating a hub at Zurich and Geneva as focus city, serving connecting markets via both these airports.

Mr. Oscar Gross, Swissair VP Network: “You helped us find new conceptual solutions that we did not have before.”

At the time, aviation liberalization was announcing itself in Europe and many airlines were benefiting from it by reinforcing their hubs. Handicapped by a restrained access to the markets, Swissair needed to face the challenge by reinforcing its network as well.

A big problem was that Zurich Airport was full. Noise regulation had invoked a slot regime that suffocated the airline’s growth aspirations and need for rationalization of the network.

Schedule Consult was invited to help find a way out of this dead-lock for Swissair.

 

PROJECT 4E WELLE

Year: 1995

Project Objective: Find a way to grow the Zurich hub in a profitable way and in line with slot availability.

Project Content: Thorough analysis of slot regulations. Development of alternative schedules with higher production and profits that meet these requirements. Thorough evaluation with company project team.

Result: New schedule with 9.8% more production, not only meeting the above requirements but also improving connectivity of the hub and allowing to incorporate critical Geneva production into the hub. As a resultant, Swissair was able to increase its profits with SFR 200 mln per annum.