Face-to-face: Felix Rodel, director of SWISS in the UK and Ireland
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How is the UK market performing for SWISS and market trends are you noticing and why?
Outside Switzerland the UK/IE constitutes our largest, most important and dynamic market within the EU with over 170 weekly frequencies from 7 departure points in the UK and IE. Through our main hub in ZRH we connect our customers to our extensive long-haul network with 35 destinations. Our business is based on a stable corporate and a seasonal leisure travel demand to Zurich and Geneva and a sizeable and increasing part of our customers flying SWISS to destinations in Europe, Africa, the Far East and the Americas. After a slow start, our traditional winter ski business has picked up and we see a strong demand up to Easter.
How do you plan to develop UK business for the SWISS carrier in 2016 and what role will the travel trade play in helping drive more sales for the carrier?
2016 is a special year for SWISS as we introduce two new aircraft into our fleet: As of February we operate the first of our brand new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on select long-haul routes from Zurich and in July we are going to be the launch carrier for the Bombardier CSeries aircraft on our European Network. We expect to see our new CSeries aircraft on the Manchester route as of summer and it will gradually replace our RJ Avros to and from London City as of next year.
We work closely with the travel trade on the introduction of our new aircraft, and its new features and improvements. Being part of the Lufthansa Group of airlines we continuously align and simplify our contact points, processes and offers towards our trade partners.
What has been the uptake of the Dublin-Geneva service launched last year and based on performance to date, what plans do you have to
We have launched our DUB-GVA route in May last year and we are happy with the results we have achieved. We have adjusted our flight timings to better suit the needs of our Irish customers and we maintain our regular flight schedule to Zurich.
What does the launch of the new Boeing 777-300ER series mean for UK passengers travelling on SWISS via Zurich to other locations? How are you promoting/pitching this new aircraft in this market?
As mentioned, a strong part of our business is driven by customers’ travelling via hub ZRH onto our long haul destinations and the new SWISS flagship Boeing 777-300ER offers excellent reliability and high levels of cabin comfort, along with 340 passenger seats. The totally newly-designed cabin interior of the new SWISS fleet flagship offers top comfort and visual appeal in all three classes. Boeing 777 passengers will also enjoy wireless internet connectivity aloft, the first time this has been offered on SWISS flights. Of course, SWISS hospitality and culinary delights are included on every flight. Initial destinations are Hong Kong, Bangkok, Los Angeles, San Francisco, São Paulo and Tel Aviv. Customers love our convenient and easy to use hub ZRH, the short connection times and the new lounges.
What are your plans for the Bombardier CSeries in terms of UK routes and how will it benefit passengers in terms of efficiency, prices, service, comfort, etc?
Primary destination is Manchester, then Birmingham and London City Airport as of 2017. The Bombardier CSeries boasts particularly impressive low-noise, fuel efficiency and inflight comfort credentials like improved passenger comfort, wider cabin, more stowage and overall a faster and quieter travel. The CSeries sets standards, and appeals for innovations that benefit passengers and the environment. We can offer 20% more seats than currently with the Avro RJ.
You’ve recently launched new lounge facilities – what’s new and different?
In addition to the existing SWISS lounges at Zurich Terminals 1 and 2, the new SWISS First Class, Business Class and Senator Lounges in Terminal E are extending over more than 3,300 square metres and is located conveniently close to its long-haul departure gates. The new lounges feature an innovative zonal concept for the comfort and convenience of SWISS’s premium guests: open areas in which to sit and simply enjoy the stay, working areas with secluded workplaces and rest zones equipped with specially-developed seating offering genuine relaxation.
The new lounges’ culinary highlights include “front cooking” areas where the chefs prepare selected fresh meals right in front of the guest, while the Senator Lounge boasts an exclusive Whisky Bar offering over 120 different whiskies. The SWISS First Lounge even features its own version of a five-star à la carte restaurant: whatever the time of day, guests can select the meal of their choice from an extensive menu.
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