Swiss (LX, Zurich) has confirmed that it will take five out of the twenty-five A350-900s ordered by its parent Lufthansa Group, with deliveries expected to begin in 2025.
Switzerland's flag carrier said that the five A350s would gradually replace all remaining A340-300s. The ch-aviation fleets module shows that the five quadjets are 19.2 years old on average and are owned by the airline. HB-JMB (msn 545) has been under maintenance at Hong Kong International since December 1, while the other four units remain active. Swiss explained that while HB-JMB will return to service shortly, its sistership HB-JMC (msn 546) is scheduled to transfer to leisure subsidiary Edelweiss Air in 2023, leaving four aircraft in Swiss' in-house fleet.
The deal does not cover the renewal of Edelweiss Air, which is conducting an independent fleet renewal programme.
"We are very pleased to have achieved our turnaround after the coronavirus crisis and be back on a sound financial track. As a result of this, we are now in a position to invest again in the future of our company, in our people, and in the quality that we offer our travelling guests. With this planned substantial modernisation of our long-haul aircraft fleet, we are setting a vital course to sustainably maintain our competitive edge over the longer term," CEO Dieter Vranckx said.
He previously explained that Swiss had a "clear preference" for the A350 due to its larger capacity necessary to maintain a high-level first-class cabin, the airline's competitive focus. The airline's widebody fleet also comprises fourteen A330-300s and twelve B777-300(ER)s. Swiss is expected to place more orders to replace the A330s going forward.
Lufthansa has an outstanding firm order for twenty-eight A350-900s, including three units ordered in 2013, twenty ordered in 2019, and the final five ordered in 2021. It is not unusual for the German holding to transfer orders between its subsidiary carriers depending on their current needs.
