New Delhi, July 12: Swiss International Air Lines has decided to suspend its six flights a week operations from Delhi from the winter schedule beginning October 26, 2003. However, the airline will still continue with its daily flight from Mumbai. "The suspension has been planned as part of ainternational restructuring exercise. We have reduced the fleet size internationally and were then looking at rationalizing operations," Swiss Air’s India representative, Juerg Christen said.

The airline is cutting its route network by more than a quarter as the struggling carrier fights for its survival. Under the rejig, its intercontinental network will be cut to 30 destinations from the current 40, and its European network will be reduced to 41 destinations from 56. While the airline will still serve key European destinations such as London, Berlin, Paris and Rome, it will no longer serve Switzerland’s capital Berne and other destinations such as Beijing and Rio de Janeiro, besides Delhi.
The withdrawal of flights from Delhi, sources pointed out, would also lead to job cuts in the capital. However, Christen refused to comment on the job losses or the number of people employed by the airline. Swiss had said in June that it was reducing its fleet and staff by roughly a third and was on the hunt for $366.8 million to avoid the fate of its predecessor Swissair, which collapsed in late 2001 due to a failed expansion plan and a lack of cash. Bureau Report