Recent moves of Switzerland's transport minister Moritz Leuenberger towards reopening talks with Germany about Zurich Airport approach routes and reitaration of the Confederation desire to sell its 20% Swiss stake are hinting to possible new talks between Swiss and Lufthansa.
Swiss CEO Franz also stresses the necessity to resolve delays and improve service to the pax at ZRH. Within the airline, he started a new round of negociation on wages with cabin personal, cut parking and rail transport expenses for the crews, outsourced IT-Services, talked about bringing the continental fleet into a separate entity and so on.
In short CEO Franz started a low-key and low-profile restructuring campaign which can only please the long sought and deeply needed industrial partner named Lufthansa...
Interstingly enough, Swiss sticks to the RJs. 24 RJ-85 and RJ-100 cockpit doors will be equiped with a video camera for security purpose. A costly gadget while the airline is saving on parking lots ! And no words of the Embraers. In May 03 CityLine (Lufthansa regional) has decided to continue to operate its fleet of 18 Avro RJ85 jets well into the second half of this decade. Could be a good fit.
So far, just food for thoughts, but I wouldn't be surprised to hear sometime next year of a partnership LH-LX (that would a least allow LX to retain its brand for obvious political reasons.)