Nicolas, you are responsible for developing our route network in Geneva. What does a typical workday look like for you?
When I arrive at the office, the first thing I do is check the daily Operating Report, which is the flight operations report from the previous day. I review whether all flights ran on schedule or if there were any disruptions, such as weather-related diversions or cancellations.

After that, a lot of time goes into monitoring the market and competitors. We always need to stay up to date on what is happening in Europe and in aviation in general, whether economically, geopolitically, or tourist-wise. What are our competitors doing? Which new destinations are emerging for tourism? What trends are taking shape? 
For example, we see that new travel destinations like Albania are becoming very popular, or that demand changes depending on the season. In summer, many people from Switzerland travel to the sea, while in winter numerous guests come to the Alps for skiing. Our job is to adapt the network to these patterns and use resources optimally.

 

What makes Geneva different from Zurich in terms of SWISS operations?
Geneva is a special market because competition is very strong here. Around half of the passenger traffic is covered by low-cost carriers such as easyJet. That is a big difference compared to Zurich, where SWISS holds the largest market share. Our focus in Geneva is therefore to position our offering strategically and differentiate ourselves clearly. At the same time, the French market also plays an important role. About thirty percent of passengers at Geneva Airport come from France, and we take this into account in our planning. As a SWISS location, we are part of the Lufthansa Group network and contribute significantly to hub connectivity with our flights to Zurich, Munich, Frankfurt, Vienna, or Brussels.

 

What criteria do you use to decide on network changes?
First, we conduct a profitability analysis. We check whether a connection makes financial sense, whether expected demand is sufficient, and whether we have the necessary resources, such as aircraft, crews, and slots. Geneva, like Zurich, operates as a fully coordinated Level Three airport system. This means that take-off and landing times are limited, and we must carefully check whether we can secure the required slots. In addition to profitability, operational feasibility is therefore a key factor.

 

How did you get into aviation, and what fascinates you about it today?
I have always been passionate about flying and got my private pilot’s license at an early age. After studying aerospace engineering, I deliberately chose not to pursue a purely technical career and instead completed a Master’s in Air Transport Management at ENAC in Toulouse. Since then, I have worked for various airlines, including Air France, Wizz Air, CityJet, and Flybaboo. These diverse perspectives, from low-cost carriers to traditional airlines, have helped me understand the complexity of airlines from all angles. I have been with SWISS since 2013.

What fascinates me about the industry is its constant movement. No year is the same as the previous one, there are always new challenges, political events, economic changes, or new travel trends. This dynamic is what makes the job exciting.

 

How do you unwind in your free time?
I do a lot of sports, almost every day, especially CrossFit, Hyrox, or mountain running. I live in France, not far from Geneva, so I can quickly get to the mountains. In winter, I enjoy ski touring, which I discovered during the pandemic when ski lifts were closed. In summer, I often spend time at Lac du Bourget, where I also swim regularly in cold water during winter. Besides sports, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, sharing a meal or a good glass of wine.