Swiss airport seeks crowdfunding for new ‘people’s airline’
A poster for the planned FlyBAIR airline, as seen at the press conference to announce it on Friday at Bern Airport
Keystone / Adrian Reusser
Bern Airport near the Swiss capital is seeking to re-establish scheduled flights - stopped after its main airline SkyWork went bust - with the help of crowdfunding. The name of the new “people’s airline” would be FlyBAIR.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/swissinfo.ch/ilj
The aim is for FlyBAIRExternal link to offer charter flights to ten European destinations from May 2020, with a link being established to travel hubs such as Munich, Amsterdam or London by the autumn of that year, the airport’External links management said on FridayExternal link.
The last SkyWork flight landed at Bern airport on August 29, 2018, after financial difficulties forced the company to declare itself bankrupt. Bern airport had been the small Swiss airline’s hub.
Since then the airport, which is located just outside the Swiss capital, has only been serving charter and government flights, private jets and light aircraft.
Bern Airport is hoping that people who live in the region will cough up the capital needed of CHF2.5 million ($2.5 million) via online crowdfunding. The first goal is to collect CHF1 million within 30 days, Bern Airport’s director Urs Ryf told reporters at a press conference,
Board chairman Beat Brechbühl added that all efforts to encourage “traditional” airlines to Bern had failed since SkyWorks went under. That’s why the airport is betting on a “virtual airline” instead.
This means FlyBAIR would not own any aeroplanes itself but would be in charge of marketing. Swiss charter company Lions Air, active in the business and VIP flight sector, would be responsible for the operational side and German Airways would lease the planes. The main advantages, Ryf said, would be that the airport could operate flights according to demand and that fixed costs could be kept low.
More
More
Why Bern Airport struggles to take off
This content was published on
SkyWork Airlines is currently grounded while its management tries to secure its financial future. Why do airlines in the Swiss capital struggle?
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
Experts lower Swiss growth forecasts due to US trade tensions
This content was published on
The uncertainty caused by ongoing trade conflicts is making companies hesitant to make decisions, which significantly hinders investment.
Swiss abbot resumes role following abuse investigation
This content was published on
Scarcella was accused in the Catholic Church abuse scandal last autumn. In October 2024, the Vatican declared there was no evidence of abuse or harassment against him.
Swiss stock exchange operator SIX to cut 150 jobs in efficiency drive
This content was published on
"We're not revealing the number of job losses at each location at the moment," said a SIX spokesperson. However, there will be cuts in Switzerland as well.
Martin Pfister named new Swiss government minister
This content was published on
Pfister’s election keeps the linguistic balance of Switzerland’s government, but shifts gender balance to only two women.
Swiss interior minister meets UN leaders in New York for women’s rights session
This content was published on
The Swiss interior minister also held bilateral meetings with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Sima Sami Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women
The image of foreigners in Switzerland has deteriorated
This content was published on
The Federal Statistical Office has found that Swiss people’s views of foreigners have worsened over the last couple of years.
After mild winter, nature wakes up earlier in Switzerland
This content was published on
Once again this year, nature has woken up earlier than normal, between a week and ten days ahead of schedule due to a mild winter.
Computer failure disrupts air traffic at Geneva airport
This content was published on
A computer breakdown has disrupted operations at Geneva Airport since midday on Tuesday. Significant delays are expected.
Swiss show high willingness to pay for sustainable flats
This content was published on
Tenants in Switzerland are in favour of sustainable flats. However, the willingness to pay differs by income according to a new study.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
The sky’s the limit: Swiss aviation pioneers
This content was published on
On the centenary of the first non-stop transatlantic flight, we look at the groundbreaking achievements of some Swiss aviation pioneers.
Stranded SkyWork passengers to get reduced tickets
This content was published on
Passengers whose return flights were affected by the bankruptcy of the SkyWork airline will be able to buy cut-price tickets from four other airlines.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.