Swiss (LX, Zurich) has selected fellow Lufthansa (LH, Frankfurt International) subsidiary, Austrian Airlines (OS, Vienna), to operate its multiple daily Zurich to Lugano route with effect from November 1. According to Austrian Aviation Net, Tyrolean Airways (Innsbruck) will deploy its growing fleet of Dash 8-400s, of which it is expecting an additional four, to service the route thereby increasing available capacity.

The route is currently operated by Darwin Airline (Lugano) on-board a Saab 2000 whose contract is set to expire on October 30.

Local media claim Swiss chose not to renew Darwin's ACMI agreement on the grounds that as Darwin is now an Etihad Airways (EY, Abu Dhabi International) subsidiary, it therefore constitutes a competitor.