The operation repatriated 7,200 people from around the world.
Keystone / Walter Bieri
Switzerland’s historic repatriation effort in response to the coronavirus pandemic has drawn to a close with the last set of passengers arriving from West Africa.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch/ds
Español
es
Con vuelo desde África concluye histórica repatriación
Helvetic Airways, on behalf of the Swiss foreign ministry, brought home 100 travellers from Ghana, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso. The plane touched down in Zurich late on Wednesday.
Eight crew members – three pilots, four cabin crew and one mechanic – all volunteered to complete the special mission.
The flight marks the end of operation #flyinghome, the largest repatriation campaign in Swiss history, which started on March 22 as international travel decreased on account of the Covid-19 virus.
The operation repatriated 7,200 people from around the world: nearly 4,100 Swiss nationals and 3,100 nationals from other countries. Two-thirds of the non-Swiss were Europeans. Another 1,500 Swiss nationals returned home on flights organised by other countries.
More
More
Covid 19: Switzerland earmarks CHF400 million for international aid
This content was published on
Half of the funds will go to the Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross as an interest-free loan.
What can be done to protect biodiversity in your country?
Swiss voters are set to decide on a people’s initiative calling for better protection of ecosystems in the country. Have your say on the September 22 vote.
This content was published on
Hollywood star Pamela Anderson will be honoured at the Zurich Film Festival for her career and role in the film The Last Showgirl.
Switzerland to host Ukraine mine action conference in October
This content was published on
Together with Ukraine, Switzerland is organising the Ukraine Mine Action Conference (UMAC2024) in Lausanne on October 17 and 18.
Switzerland revises pension expenditure downwards by billions
This content was published on
The Swiss government has corrected downwards the projected expenditure on old-age and survivor insurance in 2033 by CHF2.5 billion ($2.66 billion).
Excess mortality rate post-Covid could persist until 2033
This content was published on
According to a report by reinsurer Swiss Re, many countries are still experiencing excess mortality following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Swiss Army ends clean-up operation in storm-hit Maggia Valley
This content was published on
The Swiss Armed Forces completed 76 flight hours during the clean-up operation following the storm in the Maggia Valley in Ticino at the end of June.
Swiss cruise ship stranded on Danube River after heavy rains
This content was published on
Passengers on a Swiss river-cruise ship stranded on the Danube following heavy rainfall are still unable to disembark in Vienna due to flooding.
Golden eagles get better at flying over time, say Swiss researchers
This content was published on
Golden eagles perfect their flight as they age and learn to make better use of air currents, says a new study co-produced by Swiss researchers.
This content was published on
Public libraries in Switzerland recorded 46.3 million admissions last year, 7.4 million more than in 2022, says the Federal Statistical Office.
Swiss conservative party seeks referendum against Eurovision contest
This content was published on
The Swiss Federal Democratic Union is launching a referendum to prevent the Eurovision Song Contest from taking place in Basel next year.
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
Swiss airlines to get almost CHF2 billion corona aid boost
This content was published on
The Swiss aviation sector, including the airlines SWISS and Edelweiss, is set to receive financial aid to help it overcome their current liquidity crisis.
Switzerland to relax certain entry restrictions from May 11
This content was published on
The backlog of applications made by non-Swiss citizens to work or rejoin family in Switzerland will be processed from this date.
Swiss take aid to Africa as part of Covid repatriation flights
This content was published on
Switzerland has delivered humanitarian supplies to Kinshasa before repatriating tourists stranded in central Africa due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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.