Major structural changes announced by Swiss International Airlines in June include a considerable reduction of the company’s regional network with the start of its winter timetable, in late October. But while Swiss frantically clutches for a financial lifeline, there appears no shortage of newcomers willing to fill the airline’s shoes. Most of them want to open service between Lugano and Geneva–two cities reachable by air across the Alps in 45 minutes, versus more than five hours by road or rail. By late August, however, a new barrier raised by the Swiss government had dampened much of the enthusiasm.
Following a Swiss Ministry of Transport-directed audit of the national air safety system, the agency charged with implementing recommendations–the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA)–ordered the realignment of landing aids at Lugano to reduce the glideslope to six degrees at all stages of descent. FOCA also decided to extend the horizontal visibility limit from 4,900 feet to 10,150 feet. The deadline for comments was to close August 29, just a week after the publication of the new procedures.
