A strike by French air-traffic controllers (ATC) has disrupted the travel plans of tens of thousands across Europe just as the summer holidays begin. In Switzerland, Swiss International Air Lines cancelled 21 flights and was forced to rebook nearly 3,000 passengers, deploying larger aircraft on certain routes to absorb the pressure. Some connecting passengers were […]
Swiss holidays are booming among the Swiss population
Hiking in the Jura, cycling in Valais, dining lakeside in Ticino: Switzerland remains a top destination—especially for the Swiss themselves. Once seen primarily as a tourist destination for foreigners, the country has increasingly become a year-round choice for domestic travellers, according to data published the week by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). Laura Meyer, chief […]
High fire risk in some parts of Switzerland
Switzerland faces rising wildfire risk and authorities are restricting water use as drought grips parts of the country, reported the Natural Hazards Portal. Several regions in Switzerland have raised their forest fire alert to “considerable” danger and “high” danger, the third and fourth levels on a five-point scale, amid increasingly dry conditions and falling water […]
SWISS cancels summer flights amid pilot shortage
This week, Swiss International Air Lines announced it will cancel around 1,400 flights this summer, reported SRF. The move is a response to ongoing pilot staffing constraints exacerbated by the post-pandemic operational transition. The airline cited a shortage of qualified pilots as the principal reason behind the cuts. According to spokesman Michael Weinmann, the airline […]
Rockfall risk keeps the Grand-Saint-Bernard route closed
The Grand-Saint-Bernard route (A21) will remain closed until further notice, Swiss authorities have confirmed, citing an elevated risk of rockfall following an avalanche on 17 April 2025. The avalanche damaged the Toules gallery, a key protective structure on the A21. Although repairs to the gallery are due to be completed today, the Federal Roads Office […]
Swiss tourists avoiding the US
Travel from Switzerland to the United States has dropped sharply, especially among the young and families, according to recent US travel data. The number of Swiss holidaymakers visiting the United States fell steeply in February and March, according to figures released this week by America’s International Trade Administration. The decline, which began in February, intensified […]
Planning a trip to the UK? Don’t forget a visa
From 2 April 2025, travelling to the United Kingdom will require a visa. EU and EFTA nationals, including Swiss passport holders, can now (from 5 March 2025) apply online for an U.K. Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). The ETA costs £10 and lasts for 2 years from the date of issue. Currently, only citizens of EU […]
Basel Fasnacht 2025 – no ordinary festival
A parade that starts at 4 in the morning? With piccolos? And drums? In winter? Really? Yes, and you’ll be enchanted by the whole thing. Every year in the city of Basel on the Monday after Ash Wednesday (this year, March 10th), the Morgestraich (“Morning sweep” in Basel dialect) marks the beginning of the three-day […]
Catching ski pass cheats – reactions, fines and worse
In the very early days of skiing, checking whether skiers had valid ski passes was hit and miss. However, today, with modern technology it has become easy. According to a report by SRF, the ski resort of Verbier catches an average of three to four people a day passing through the turnstiles with a ‘borrowed’ […]
Swiss Rail’s European ranking drops from 2nd to 11th after error corrected
In a ranking published in December 2024, Swiss Rail was ranked the second best railway company in Europe. This week, RTS reported that its ranking had dropped to 11th out of 27. Why? Oddly, in its app, Swiss Rail presents half price tickets as the default price, describing them as “tickets from” the half price […]
