Katrin, you work in Network Planning at SWISS. We have been flying to Bristol since the beginning of February. Is that your favourite city, or why are we flying there now?
No, in Network Planning we do not choose new destinations on the basis of our personal preferences. Rather, we look at what fits best into the SWISS portfolio and what makes strategic and commercial sense. In recent years, we have expanded our route network through so-called secondary markets. In the past, these have included destinations such as Tallinn, Billund, Bologna, Nantes, Sofia and Vilnius. Now we have added Bristol.

In winter, we will fly to Bristol once a week, offering an attractive connection for British winter sports tourists who like to visit Switzerland. From the summer timetable at the end of March, we will increase the frequency to up to three flights a week. The South West of England is a popular holiday destination and there are also many expats in Switzerland who want to visit friends and family. Business travellers will also benefit from the new service, which offers an attractive direct connection. Customers can also reach many attractive destinations in Europe and overseas from Bristol with short connecting times in Zurich.

What factors are taken into consideration when a new destination is added to the SWISS route network?
Before we add a new destination to our route network, many studies have to be carried out. Firstly, we carry out an in-depth market analysis, looking at market development and passenger flows, including transfer traffic, and then calculate the business case.

Operational studies also have to be carried out: What type of aircraft can be used to fly to the destination, do our pilots need special training, what are the other special features of the new destination? In addition, the planned flight must fit well into our existing flight programme. Finally, we need the slots for the planned flight times.

An airport will always say that it is worth flying to it. How can you independently assess whether this is really the case?
Right, airports are often very interested in adding new airlines to their portfolio. But we have reliable methods for assessing whether a new destination is also profitable for SWISS. We prepare a business case for each new route.

We also work closely with other departments in the company. For example, our colleagues in Revenue Management and Sales have specific pricing and market expertise that is very valuable. We also benefit from being part of the Lufthansa Group, where there is a very transparent exchange.

How long does the whole process take from idea to first flight?
I cannot give a general answer. It usually takes several months to do all the research. In addition, the start of sales and the first flight should not be too close together. After all, we need to sell tickets before we can start flying.

Bristol is a short-haul flight, i.e. a flight within Europe. How does the whole process change for a potential new long-haul destination?
The process is similar, but the commercial risk is much higher. For our intercontinental flights, we depend on feeder traffic within Europe and these connections must be secured. In addition, launching a long-haul route is very resource-intensive, so the necessary capacity has to be built up over the long term and traffic rights have to be clarified. Planning is also closely coordinated with the Lufthansa Group to identify dependencies between the airlines and hubs involved.

Can you quickly assess whether a destination is profitable after flights have been launched?
It really depends on the destination. Some markets take more time than others. We monitor every route very closely. If necessary, flight times may need to be adjusted or the number of weekly flights increased or decreased for the next flight period.

What are the biggest challenges in your job?
It is a very exciting and varied job! You are always working on several flight periods at the same time and are in different planning stages depending on the season. Keeping track of everything is a challenge. You also have to constantly monitor the performance of the routes. If a destination does not perform as expected, the causes must be identified and the necessary adjustments made.

It is important that our department always works closely with other parts of the company, such as Crew Planning and Technics. Offering a premium product also means ensuring a stable, reliable schedule. I also have to keep up with the latest trends in the industry and know what our competitors are doing.

What does a Network Planner need to bring to the job?
It is an advantage to have practical commercial experience, preferably with an airline, but this is not essential. You should also have a passion for the aviation industry, good analytical skills and strong organisational and communication skills, as you will be in constant contact with many internal and external interfaces.

Which destination would you like to see as a future SWISS destination?
As a Network Planner, my list of dream destinations is naturally long. Personally, I would like to see a new destination in the Nordic countries in the SWISS network, as I am a big fan of this region.

Thank you, Katrin, for sharing these valuable insights into the world of Network Planning at SWISS.