SWISS is pleased that Switzerland’s Federal Council has issued the report on air transport policy before the end of the current year. In essence, the Federal Council’s statements are welcome, particularly the amendments that have been made to the original draft.

SWISS largely supports the objectives the Federal Council has set for the national air transport policy. “Federal Councillor Moritz Leuenberger deserves recognition for producing this report, which points the way forward. Consultation with the parties involved prior to the report was fair and thorough,” commented Christoph Franz, SWISS President and CEO. “It is now of great importance to implement concrete measures as quickly as possible.“

SWISS welcomes in particular the following main points from the report on national air transport policy:

• express recognition of the economic importance of Switzerland’s air transport industry, also as a key element in foreign trade policy and tourism promotion, as well as a factor in making Switzerland an attractive business location;
  
  
• acknowledgement of the value non-stop air services within Europe and to and from other continents provide for Switzerland as a business location; and of Zurich’s role as an air transport hub in efficiently optimising Switzerland’s international links;
  
  
• acknowledgement of the need for internationally competitive parameters for Switzerland’s air transport industry;
  
  
• government commitment to SWISS as an important factor in air transport policy and the facilitator of effective international links;
  
  
• government willingness to absorb, if necessary, certain costs relating to security and air traffic control;
  
  
• the intention to review the degree to which the current tax on aviation fuel for domestic air services can be used to support measures to protect the environment and improve air transport security and safety;
  
  
• the objective of Switzerland participating in the European Aviation Safety Agency and in the reform process for the creation of a Single European Sky with regard to air traffic control.

SWISS is disappointed, however, that the Federal Council has rejected a proposal to transform the existing airport noise compensation fund into an independent legal entity and sponsor the fund in order to cover any short-term financial deficits. Given the current legal uncertainties surrounding this topic along with the expectation of high costs for compensation in future, managing the fund in this way would be an important element in ensuring the future of the country’s airports and providing prompt compensation to those affected by airport noise. 

SWISS has not yet studied the comprehensive report thoroughly and therefore is not in a position to comment conclusively on all points.


SWISS Corporate Communications
P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel
Phone:  +41 848 773 773
Fax:  +41 61 582 3554
E-mail: communications@swiss.com