Start of the summer holidays: Huge rush at Zurich Airport
Today the summer holidays begin in twelve Swiss cantons. A look at Zurich Airport in the morning already shows that thousands of people are drawn to the distant future.
the essentials in brief
- The summer holidays are just around the corner – they are already starting today in twelve cantons.
- Chaos reigns in Europe. Various flights had to be canceled due to staff shortages.
- The sun-seekers at Zurich Airport are hoping for punctual departures and return flights.
Off to the south! Today the summer holidays start in twelve Swiss cantons. And that is already evident in the morning at Zurich Airport. Sun-seekers stand side by side in front of the check-in counters in the departure hall.
Tourists are drawn to Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante, Palma de Mallorca, Athens, Split, Rhodes or Antalya. Because that’s where the flights take off today around noon.
“We are expecting around 75,500 passengers at Zurich Airport,” says Maurus Stocker, Head of Operations at Zurich Airport, about Nau.ch. 32,000 of them depart from Zurich. “In terms of occupancy, that’s about two-thirds of a normal summer vacation Saturday in 2019,” says Stocker.
So far there are said to be no significant delays – and no cancellations of air travel. “Three quarters of all flights were able to take off 15 minutes after the actual take-off time,” says Stocker.
But: About ten flights were delayed a little more. This because of “restrictions on air routes in Europe,” says Stocker.
Hoping for an early return flight
Passengers at Zurich Airport hope it stays that way. An on-site inspection shows that many of them are looking forward to the holidays – but are concerned that the flights will soon take off. Especially when it comes to the return trip.
Are you going on summer vacation this year?
73%
No, I don’t want the flight chaos.
1
No, I don’t want the flight chaos.
27%
Yes, I’m looking forward to it!
2
Yes, I’m looking forward to it!
Because: Holiday flights back to Switzerland are already being canceled again and again. examples? Palma de Mallorca and Ibiza. Both destinations are popular with Swiss people.
Beat flies south of Barcelona today. For him it is the first normal vacation after the Corona pandemic.
The same goes for Astrid, Stefan and Leonie. Meanwhile, they are on their way to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. “After this long Corona break, it’s time to enjoy a little freedom again.” They hope that everything will work out – even with the return flight, “we’re just taking the risk.”
Luana and Alina had to reschedule because of the flight chaos. They fly to Vancouver. “Our return flight has already been postponed.” You now have to fly home earlier than originally planned.
Swiss and Easyjet have had to cancel numerous flights in recent weeks due to a lack of staff. Due to the lack of staff, there are sometimes massive delays and cancellations.
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