SWISS has recently unveiled a significant extension and enhancement of its enduring partnership with the fellow Swiss regional carrier Helvetic Airways, spanning an additional five years. As part of the newly inked agreement, Helvetic Airways will operate a fleet of up to 15 aircraft across SWISS's European network under an ongoing wet-lease arrangement. This collaboration will see Helvetic primarily utilizing a blend of Embraer E190-E2 and E195-E2 aircraft, alongside their predecessors the E190s and E195s, to service a diverse range of short and medium-haul routes on behalf of SWISS.

SWISS's Chief Commercial Officer, Heike Birlenbach, expressed her satisfaction with the partnership, stating, "Helvetic Airways consistently upholds our stringent safety standards and premium expectations, earning high praise from our valued customers." She further added, "I am thrilled that we are prolonging this successful collaboration, as it not only helps us manage operational peaks, but also allows us to serve destinations that may not be ideal for our larger SWISS fleet."

Tobias Pogorevc, CEO of Helvetic Airways, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing their pride in expanding their longstanding relationship with SWISS. "This extension underscores our unwavering commitment to maintaining the high standards of quality and reliability set by SWISS," Pogorevc remarked. He also highlighted how Helvetic's modern regional twinjets seamlessly complement SWISS's existing aircraft fleet.

In the forthcoming winter schedule for 2024/25, Helvetic Airways is slated to operate up to nine aircraft on behalf of SWISS, with the number escalating to 15 during the busy 2025 summer season. SWISS, a part of the Lufthansa Group, has traditionally partnered with smaller carriers like Helvetic to handle short-haul and feeder routes efficiently. Established in 2003, Helvetic Airways inaugurated its services with a single Fokker 100 aircraft and three destinations. Since forming an alliance with SWISS in 2007, the airline has continuously met the stringent quality requirements, leading to this latest extension of their partnership.

Amidst their collaboration with SWISS, Helvetic Airways launched its maintenance division in 2011 for increased operational flexibility and autonomy. Their fleet expansion in 2019 with the introduction of the fuel-efficient Embraer E2 aircraft marked a significant milestone for the airline. Subsequently, the decision to swap 12 Embraer 190-E2s for four larger Embraer E195-E2s further showcased their commitment to enhancing their capabilities and offerings.

With a capacity ranging from 120 to 150 passengers, the newer Embraer aircraft provide Helvetic Airways with the versatility to cater to various customer requirements, including wet-lease agreements with SWISS and autonomous operations under their own branding. Currently, Helvetic operates 22 Embraer regional jets, serving eleven routes to 10 destinations across six countries under its unique identity.

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