The Local Switzerland

Renowned British composer killed in Swiss Alps plane crash

Wed, 28 Aug 2019 16:08:27 +0200

British composer Jonathan Goldstein, his musician wife Hannah Marcinowicz and their seven-month baby have been confirmed as the victims of a plane crash in the Swiss canton of Valais last Sunday.

Zurich named one of world’s ten best airports

Wed, 03 Apr 2019 12:34:26 +0200

Zurich Airport has landed in the top ten in the latest edition of the World Airport Awards.

Switzerland plans to launch drone register in 2020

Mon, 18 Mar 2019 11:02:50 +0100

Swiss aviation authorities are set to toughen up rules for private drone use by requiring pilots to register their devices as early as summer next year.

Swiss vintage Ju-52 planes banned from commercial flights

Tue, 12 Mar 2019 12:16:19 +0100

Swiss carrier Ju-Air will no longer be able to operate commercial flights with its three historic Ju-52 planes because of safety issues, the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) said on Tuesday.

Here’s what Switzerland’s new 'Air Force One' looks like

Tue, 19 Feb 2019 11:19:10 +0100

Switzerland’s shiny new 'Air Force One' jet was unveiled on Monday at a typically low-key ceremony in Bern.

Switzerland and Britain reach post-Brexit aviation deal

Mon, 17 Dec 2018 21:00:29 +0100

Switzerland and Britain signed an agreement on Monday guaranteeing that flights between the two countries can continue uninterrupted even if London opts to leave the European Union without a deal with Brussels.

Geneva launches free pre-dawn bus services to airport

Tue, 11 Dec 2018 20:35:45 +0100

From this Sunday on, travellers catching an early flight from Geneva will be able to take advantage of free bus services that will arrive at the airport before 4am.

Swiss vintage flights grounded after deadly JU-Air crash

Wed, 21 Nov 2018 10:41:21 +0100

Two vintage Ju-52 planes stationed at the Dübendorf airfield in Zurich have been grounded immediately over potential safety issues in the wake of a interim report into an August crash in which 20 people died.

Swiss' map on flight to Israel displays Palestinian town destroyed in 1948

Thu, 11 Oct 2018 12:38:34 +0200

Switzerland's main carrier has been criticised for displaying an-inflight map to passengers on a flight to Israel that omitted Tel Aviv but included the Palestinian village of Al-Shaykh Muwannis, which was destroyed and abandoned in 1948.

Is Switzerland set to get a new low-cost, long-distance airline?

Mon, 10 Sep 2018 11:34:48 +0200

A group of aviation veterans are planning to start up a new low-cost airline based in the Swiss city of Basel and offering cheap flights to destinations including the US, according to media reports.

Discount 'rescue fares' available for stranded SkyWork passengers

Fri, 31 Aug 2018 17:15:36 +0200

Other carriers are offering SkyWork ticket holders discount fares if they find themselves stranded after the Swiss airline suddenly declared bankruptcy.

Basel Green Party leader adds to calls for ban on short-haul flights

Fri, 24 Aug 2018 18:57:46 +0200

Many inter-city and short distance domestic and cross-border services are unnecessary and are having too big an impact on the environment and climate change, argues Basel Green Party leader Bálint Csontos.

New rules for vintage JU-Air flights after deadly crash

Fri, 17 Aug 2018 00:07:46 +0200

In the wake of a deadly crash earlier this month, Swiss authorities have laid out new regulations for flights involving vintage Junkers Ju-52 planes operated by the JU-Air airline.

Light aircraft crashes at Bern Airport

Thu, 09 Aug 2018 15:01:56 +0200

Police have confirmed that a light aircraft crashed at the Swiss capital's airport on Thursday April 9th.

Swiss airline JU-Air plans to restart operations this month despite uncertainty about recent deadly crash

Wed, 08 Aug 2018 12:10:25 +0200

The Swiss charter airline is planning to resume flights with its two remaining JU-52 aircraft on August 17th, even though an inquiry into the fatal crash that killed 20 people on August 4th is still ongoing.

High flyer: Swiss firm H55 wins funds for new electric plane project

Tue, 20 Feb 2018 16:00:49 +0100

A Swiss firm co-founded by one of the key figures in the Solar Impulse project has won Silicon Valley funding towards developing electric aircraft.

Could flights between the UK and EU really be grounded after Brexit?

Wed, 11 Oct 2017 19:28:36 +0200

The British Chancellor on Wednesday raised the possibility that a 'no deal' Brexit scenario could ground flights between the UK and other European countries.

New Swiss map shows no-fly zones for drones

Tue, 13 Dec 2016 12:13:27 +0100

The Swiss Federal Aviation Office (BAZL) has created a new interactive map to show drone operators where they may legally fly.

Nuclear plants face aircraft crash tests

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 12:33:00 +0100

The Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI) is to examine whether the country’s atomic plants could withstand the impact of a modern-day aircraft crash.

Solar plane aborts Paris flight

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 19:12:00 +0200

Swiss solar-powered aircraft Solar Impulse landed in Brussels Saturday after the pilot aborted a flight to Paris following a series of technical problems, his team said.