Airbus’ first four-engine, wide-body and long-range aircraft type is not giving up: Swiss airline Edelweiss will take delivery of a new A340-300 in July 2023, the company said in a statement. The aircraft, which will become the fifth of its type in its fleet, currently operates for Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS).
The aircraft, with manufacturer’s serial number (MSN) 546, is registered as HB-JMC. It completed its maiden flight in July 2003 and has been serving its current operator since October of that same year.
“I am delighted that we will be able to expand our long-haul fleet again from summer 2023”, commented Bernd Bauer, CEO of Edelweiss. “The additional Airbus A340s will enable us to meet the increasing demand for flights to our long-haul holiday destinations”, he said.
Currently, the company, based at Zurich-Kloten International Airport (ZRH), has four Airbus A340-300s in its fleet. Their registrations are HB-JMG, HB-JMF, HB-JME and HB-JMD. All of them had operated solely for Swiss International Air Lines and were delivered to Edelweiss between September 2016 and August 2018.
Edelweiss’ Airbus A340-300s are currently used on routes between Switzerland and Vancouver (YVR), Calgary (YYC), Denver (DEN), Las Vegas (LAS), Tampa (TPA), Havana (HAV), Cancún (CUN), Punta Cana (PUJ), Puerto Plata (POP), Montego Bay (MBJ), San José (SJO), Liberia (LIR), Zanzibar (ZNZ), Kilimanjaro (JRO), Seychelles (SEZ), Mauritius (MRU) and Malé (MLE).
Recovery continues
In July 2022, Edelweiss carried 304.039 passengers and reported an occupancy rate of 84%. It thus reached and exceeded its pre-pandemic activity levels for the first time.
The figures represent a 3% increase in the number of passengers carried compared to July 2019. The airline completed 16% more flights. Edelweiss also increased its network of international destinations by 30%, offering services to 74 airports during this summer.
The airline also noted that it maintains a good outlook for the upcoming autumn and winter boreal season. “Bookings for the coming months are developing positively, as expected”, the company said.
See also: Edelweiss resumes flights to Denver
