Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) has reported its second-best operating results in company history, of CHF 684 million in 2024, and affirms its plans to make major investments to sustain this growth.
The airline transported around 18 million passengers in 2024, up 9.2% on 2023, and recorded CHF 5.6 billion for total revenues, an improvement of 6% from 2023, as well as operating results 74% up at CHF 179 million.
SWISS chief financial officer, Dennis Weber, said of the improvements: “Demand is high, especially in our premium travel classes, with both SWISS Business and SWISS Premium Economy presently proving particularly popular. Tourist travel is booming, too, while business travel activity remained stable at its prior-year volumes.”
Its profitability amounted to 12.1% (Adjusted EBIT margin), which was 1.4% lower than the prior year, but SWISS attributed that to: a general increase in market capacity putting pressure on its yields; limited availability of certain engine spares which lowered production efficiency; and it being more exposed to high-cost pressures.
Weber, said that while the margin is at a “respectable level,” the company, “must continue to invest if we are to retain our leading position in our highly competitive markets. And the funds for these investments have first to be earned. So given the persisting cost pressures, we must keep working on our overall efficiency.”
In 2024, SWISS operated over 9% more flights than the previous year and its average punctuality rose to 65%, despite challenges posed by airspace closures due to geo-political tensions, air traffic control challenges, and weather-related operational restrictions.
As peak traffic months approach for 2025, the airline still has room for improvement and will be investing around CHF 1 billion a year, for the next five years, to ensure customers have “top-notch air travel experience” and to raise “the stability and punctuality of our flight operations,” according to Jens Fehlinger, SWISS chief executive.
Furthermore, the SWISS fleet size will be increasing with the arrival of its first SWISS Airbus A350 in the summer and its international route network expanded to include Washington D.C., Toronto, and Seoul.
The main focus for 2025, however, continues to be stabilising the network and improving quality, rather than around stimulating more growth, starting with the ‘SWISS Senses’ initiative to revamp its short- and long-haul in-flight experiences.
SWISS chief commercial officer, Heike Birlenbach, said: “2025 is shaping up to be a landmark year for our company. We’re making substantial investments that will deliver a host of innovations for our customers.”
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