Air India has announced the launch of services to Zurich, the gateway to Switzerland. The services will be operated by the 787 dreamliner aircraft and will begin June 16, 2024 with flights operating four times a week from its Delhi hub. The 787s are configured with 256 seats in two classes, comprising Business and Economy.
AI151 DEL1405 – 1915ZRH
AI152 ZRH2050 – 0805 (+1)DEL
Flights will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays
This is the third new international destination that the airline has announced in the recent past, with the earlier announcements being Phuket and Ho Chi Minh City, both operated by narrowbody aircraft. The airline recently announced adding frequency to Phuket. The airline has expanded its widebody presence to San Francisco from Mumbai and Bengaluru, Melbourne from Mumbai, Amsterdam from Delhi amongst others in the last two years.
Zurich is a popular destination for Indians – both FIT (Free Independent Travelers) and group tours. It is part of the Schengen agreement and this opens up another points for travellers and business passengers to fly Air India to and from Europe. Air India currently places its code on the Swiss Airlines flight to Zurich from both Mumbai and Delhi. Swiss is a Star Alliance carrier and owned by Lufthansa.
Swiss currently deploys the A330-300 on both its routes to India from Zurich. The same is slated to continue into winter. Zurich Airport (ZRH), nestled amidst rolling green hills and the glistening expanse of Lake Zurich, is more than just a transportation hub. It’s a vibrant gateway to Switzerland’s breathtaking beauty, rich history, and impeccable efficiency. Zurich Airport boasts an impressive network of connections, serving over 200 destinations worldwide, with three runways. The airside area transforms into a luxurious haven, adorned with duty-free shops boasting the latest designer labels, elegant cafes serving delectable Swiss specialties, and art installations that add a touch of cultural flair.
For the gourmand, Zurich Airport is a culinary adventure in itself. From traditional Swiss rösti and raclette to international delights like sushi and Indian curries, the food court tantalizes taste buds with a kaleidoscope of flavours. Whether you’re craving a quick bite or a leisurely gourmet meal, Zurich Airport claims to have something to satisfy every palate. Zurich Airport is investing in sustainable practices, committed to minimising its environmental impact. From the use of renewable energy sources like solar panels to waste reduction initiatives and energy-efficient building design, the airport is paving the way for a greener future of air travel.
The top 5 unserved destinations from Zurich are Bali, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Manila and Sydney. Bengaluru is at ninth position. There also are a lot of underserved routes which means there are direct flights between Zurich and these destinations but a sizable number of passengers prefer to travel via a hub. The top five such routes are Bangkok, Seoul, Tokyo, Delhi and New York. Mumbai is in seventh position.
The limited non-stop capacity saw over 20,000 passengers each, each way between Delhi – Zurich and Mumbai – Zurich in Q4-CY23. Apart from the two non-stop flights, the other popular routes are via Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Istanbul, Frankfurt amongst others. A small fraction of this traffic is enough for Air India to fill up planes, but it will need to drive up the experience to attract high yielding traffic.
Network Thoughts
Air India’s entry to this route will make the route competitive with more options for the traveller. Like British Airways, Air France, KLM, Lufthansa; Swiss also focuses on traffic from India to Europe and North America but with just a single daily flight to Mumbai and Delhi and the demand to Switzerland going up from India – the flight will give the much needed competition for non-stop options.
With a codeshare in place with Swiss, it opens up new areas for travelers from India. The timings are in line with the other European bank of flights. The frequency for flights to Zurich could see an increase faster than those to Vienna, Copenhagen or Birmingham – where Air India flies less than daily. The airline is yet to return to Madrid, which it operated pre COVID (pre privatization as well). With no direct flights to Madrid from India, but direct flights to Zurich from India – the choice of Zurich over returning to Madrid speaks in itself about the potential.
What to look for next? Where do the A350s get deployed, how do they rotate the planes for reconfiguration and the rumoured big expansion to North America.
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