SWISS took delivery of their 30th and final Airbus A220 in Zurich this evening, marking another milestone of the largest fleet renewal in the company’s history. SWISS was the launch customer for the new and efficient clean-sheet short and medium-haul jet.
On Tuesday (May 25, 2021), Swiss International Air Lines announced the delivery of their 30th and final Airbus A220, completing another milestone in the airline’s largest fleet renewal program in company history. SWISS was the launch customer for the new clean-sheet, fuel efficient, short and medium-haul aircraft. The new A220-300, registration HB-JCU, arrived in Zurich at 21:00 this evening and has been named ‘Davos.’ The aircraft flew directly from Airbus Canada’s Montreal Mirabel production facility to Zurich. SWISS now operates nine of the smaller 125-passenger Airbus A220-100s and 21 of the larger 145-passenger A220-300s. The airline performed the world’s first commercial revenue flight of an A220-100 from Zurich to Paris on July 15, 2016.
In Tuesday’s announcement, SWISS’s CEO, Dieter Vranckx, said,
“With today’s delivery of our thirtieth Airbus A220, we have marked another milestone in the biggest fleet renewal in the history of our company. We are proud to now have 30 of these innovative aircraft in our fleet ranks. The Airbus A220 helps give us one of Europe’s most advanced aircraft fleets. This in turn enables us to live up to our environmental responsibilities. And SWISS will continue to invest in advanced aircraft and technologies. To do so, though, we must be able to operate within parameters that allow us to maintain both a competitive edge and an investment capability.
“We have set ourselves the goal of halving our carbon emissions from their 2019 levels by 2030 and being entirely carbon-neutral by 2050. Investing in the latest aircraft technologies and in synthetic aircraft fuels are two of the most effective levers in reducing our carbon emissions. The Airbus A220 also emits 50 per cent less nitrogen oxide, and is substantially quieter, too, which is appreciated not only by our passengers but also by local airport residents.”
Following its arrival in Zurich, the new A220-300 was formally named ‘Davos’ at a ceremony which was attended by Davos’ Mayor Philip Wilhelm, Destination Davos Klosters’ CEO Reto Branschi, SWISS CEO Dieter Vranckx and SWISS pilot and A220 Program Leader Peter Koch.
Speaking at the ceremony, Captain Koch said,
“As a native of Davos, I am especially delighted that our thirtieth A220 now bears my home town’s name and will carry it to cities and leisure destinations all over Europe.”
Also commenting on the delivery of HB-JCU Davos, Reto Branschi said,
“Aircraft connect the world’s nations and bring people to the country of congresses and vacations that Switzerland is. As a byword for holidays, sport, culture, congresses, education and research, Davos is one of the world’s most multi-faceted destinations. And we’re proud that SWISS has now named one of its newest and most advanced aircraft after our town.”
Davos’ Mayor, Philipp Wilhelm added,
“Davos is a place where, for generations now, people from all countries and all cultural circles have met for congresses and research projects of global importance. And an aircraft named ‘Davos’ is a flying ambassador for our cosmopolitan town.”
SWISS’s new Airbus A220-300 (HB-JCU) is expected to make its first commercial revenue flight from Zurich to London this Saturday (May 29, 2021).
Source: Swiss International Air Lines