SWISS Reports CHF 502 Million Operating Result for 2025

SWISS Reports CHF 502 Million Operating Result for 2025 Amid Cost and Market Pressures

Swiss International Air Lines reported an operating result (Adjusted EBIT) of CHF 502.2 million for the 2025 financial year, representing a 26.6 percent decline compared with the previous year. The airline recorded total revenues of CHF 5.50 billion, down 2.6 percent from CHF 5.64 billion in 2024.

The airline said its financial performance during 2025 was influenced by rising operating costs, competitive market conditions, fluctuations in travel demand, and operational constraints. At the same time, the company continued investing in fleet and service developments, including the introduction of the Airbus A350, updated cabin interiors, and the new SWISS Senses onboard service concept.

Chief Executive Officer Jens Fehlinger described 2025 as a year with both operational progress and financial challenges.

“With our new Airbus A350 aircraft, updated cabins and the SWISS Senses service concept, we invested in our future,” Fehlinger said.

“At the same time, competitive pressures, rising costs and resource shortages affected our growth. We now need to respond with targeted efficiency measures.”

Chief Financial Officer Dennis Weber noted that market conditions also affected performance across several business areas. Higher fees, maintenance expenses, and demand fluctuations contributed to the decline in earnings. The airline’s cargo segment also recorded lower results compared with the previous year, partly due to geopolitical developments affecting trade flows. Lower fuel prices helped offset some of these pressures.

Operational limitations also affected the airline’s capacity during the year. Shortages of aircraft engines and crew availability meant some aircraft remained grounded longer than expected or could not operate at planned utilization levels. As a result, the company was unable to fully implement its planned growth and capacity expansion.

Passenger Traffic Remains Stable

During 2025, SWISS carried approximately 18.1 million passengers, a 0.6 percent increase compared with the previous year. The airline operated more than 143,000 flights, also up 0.6 percent year-on-year.

Production capacity increased 1.5 percent, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), while traffic volume, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), rose 0.5 percent. The systemwide seat load factor reached 83.3 percent, slightly lower than the previous year.

Fourth-Quarter Results

For the fourth quarter of 2025, SWISS reported an Adjusted EBIT of CHF 91.0 million, a 49.1 percent decrease compared with CHF 178.8 million in the same period of 2024. Quarterly revenues totaled CHF 1.33 billion, down 5.2 percent from CHF 1.40 billion a year earlier.

The airline said ongoing market pressures and higher operating costs affected the quarter’s performance, while lower fuel prices helped moderate the impact.

Operational Performance Improves

Despite operational and market challenges, SWISS reported improvements in operational performance during the year. Average punctuality increased by 4.1 percentage points to 69.3 percent, while schedule stability rose to 98.0 percent.

The airline attributed these improvements to operational adjustments and its workforce’s efforts to improve reliability across the network.

Measures to Improve Cost Efficiency

In response to the operating environment, SWISS introduced a company-wide cost-reduction programme in 2025. The initiative focuses on improving resource allocation, strengthening collaboration between departments, and simplifying internal structures.

The airline is also expanding efforts to digitalise and automate operational processes while integrating new technologies to improve efficiency.

Looking ahead, the company plans to continue balancing cost control with investment in passenger experience. Upcoming initiatives include the refurbishment of its Airbus A330 long-haul fleet, which will also receive the SWISS Senses cabin design.

Fehlinger said the airline will continue working to improve efficiency while maintaining service development.

“Our operating environment remains challenging in the near term,” he said.

“We need to streamline our structures and improve efficiency while continuing to invest in the future of our airline.”