Swiss airlines to resume Zurich-Shanghai flights in May

Swiss International Airlines will resume the direct flight from Zurich to Shanghai in May after the suspension of the Zurich to Shanghai and Beijing routes in 2002, according to Harry Hohmeister, chief network and distribution officer of the carrier.

The first flight for Shanghai is scheduled to take off from Zurich on May 9 and a 228-seat Airbus 340-300 aircraft will serve the route with a round trip price for economy class of RMB 4,880 (US$687).

"We are much more cost-oriented than a couple of years ago. And we have a very strict cost management, more efficient management and a lifted image," said Hohmeister.

The carrier will also provide Chinese-style services onboard as well as Chinese-speaking staff at the airport in Zurich. It is also planning to launch a Beijing-Zurich direct route next spring, according to Hohmeister.

Currently, the mainland tourists who want to go to Switzerland have to transfer in Hong Kong or European airports such as Frankfurt and Helsinki.