ThoseAirlines
Lufthansa accused of blocking a link between Cointrin and Singapore
“It is not acceptable that a private enterprise, moreover foreign, decides whether or not the development of an entire region,” thunders economic environments.
Geneve-Coin, arienne.
LMS
- Geneva economic circles denounce the blocking of a Geneva-Singapore airline by Lufthansa.
- The absence of a direct connection forces travelers to be passed through by other hubs Europeans.
- Singapore Airlines withdrew from the project after Lufthansa’s opposition.
- Economic actors fear a loss of attractiveness for the Lake Geneva arc and call on the Federal Council.
The tone and the approach are unpublished: Overwhelmingthe lobby of raw materials and maritime transport trading, and Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services of Geneva (CCIG) have just sent an energetic letter to the Federal Council.
Sent to Guy Parmelin, head of the Federal Department of Economy, and Albert Rösti, boss of the Environment and Transport Department, she sends a stole of green wood to the German airline Lufthansa, owner of Swiss. She criticizes the German company Lufthansa for infringing the interests of the Lake Geneva arc and of favoring its hubs from Munich and Frankfurt to the detriment of Geneva. Economic circles ask the Federal Council to act accordingly.
Singapore’s interest
The conflict takes place against the backdrop of economic rivalry between European regions and between hubs aviation. In Cointrin, it revolves around the creation of an airline between Geneva and Singapore. For Florence Schurch, director of Suissenégoce, she is essential: “Singapore, center of trading and maritime transport, is an essential partner for the French-speaking economy.”
According to the signatories of the letter, the partners have everything to please themselves, but their relationship is disturbed by a big problem, which the letter underlines in fat, history that the message passes well: “The absence of direct air link between Geneva and Singapore, hub for Asian trade ”. This absence forced travelers, if they fly with Swiss, to go through Zurich, Frankfurt or Munich, adding hours to a trip which already has ten. There is no alternative, since taking Air France is going through Paris; KLM is going through Amsterdam. Many travelers therefore take the Gulf companies and stop in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Hence the direct line project.
Refusal after agreement in principle
“In Geneva, market demand is Claire,” says the director of the CCIG, Vincent Subilia. A particularly solid file was tied and argued for several years successfully with Singapore Airlines, especially during a major Geneva delegation that we led in 2024 with the airport, and the support of the Swiss Embassy. At the end of this, the opening in principle of the line was confirmed to us. Suffice to say that the subsequent veto of Lufthansa is as incomprehensible as it is unacceptable. ”
How is a veto from Lufthansa? To understand this plug of several bands, you should know that airlines around the world are grouped into competing alliances. Today, we count three: Oneworld, Star Alliance And Skyteam, which cover almost half of the regular flights. Lufthansa, company owner of Swiss, is a member of Star Alliance, to which Singapore Airlines belongs.
Heavy accusation
Vincent Subilia, director of the Chamber of Commerce. and Florence Schurch, director of Suissenégoce.
DR
For Geneva economic actors, what happened is clear: “Within Star Alliance, they denounce to the Federal Council, Lufthansa systematically favors its hubs Germans, preventing other airlines members of the Alliance from opening a profitable line. ”
What does Swiss answer? “”The Lufthansa groupof which Swiss is a part, explains his spokesperson, maintains a solid joint venture type partnership with Singapore Airlines for the links between Singapore and the Dachb region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium). We regularly reassess, in collaboration with Singapore Airlines, our network in the DachB region and adapt it or develop it according to demand. We thank you for your understanding as to the fact that we are not how confidential discussions. ” In other words, there would be no request, which the promoters of the line project strongly dispute.
Needless to say, the Germanic veto potential is badly passes: “As president of Aeria+,” explains Fred Herren, whose mission is to promote an efficient Roman airport infrastructure and meeting the needs of the French-speaking economy, I was very surprised to learn that the Singapore-Genève liaison project would have been blocked by the Lufthansa group. It is an example of ill -placed protectionism and ignoring the needs of our French -speaking economy. To wonder if the Lufthansa group is still giving importance in Geneva and its basin. ”
Regional rivalries
If the case is serious for economic circles, it is not for a question of local pride, but because they fear that French -speaking companies will leave.
Karine Courts, Directric from Foundation for the attractiveness of Geneva (Flag) confirms: “Today, to get to Singapore or welcome visitors to this destination, you have to pass through Zurich, Frankfurt or Munich. These additional deadlines represent, for some of them, a stage too much. ” Suddenly, companies should organize strategic meetings in Zurich to be able to receive their Asian partners in good conditions.
“This lack of direct connection strengthens the development of other regions. In an unstable economic context, where reflections on possible relocation arises, it is a constraint that our companies would be glad. We must play our cards and act concretely to strengthen our competitiveness, even if it is opposed to the logic of others hubswhich do not hesitate to actively canvass our companies to attract them elsewhere. ”
Vincent Subilia, manager of the CCIG.
DR
Ring the tocsin in Bern, for Vincent Subilia and Florence Schurch, is an opportunity to recall that “the industries concerned in French -speaking Switzerland employ tens of thousands of people and generate considerable tax revenues for our country. Thanks to its economic fabric, Geneva became the first canton to intercantonal financial equalization. ”
And to hammer: “It is not acceptable as a private enterprise, moreover foreign, decides whether or not the development of an entire region hosting 5 million inhabitants.” They ask that the Federal Council act with the German authorities to put pressure on the airline accused “of hindrance to competition”.
An essential line, according to Florence Schurch, director of Suissenégoce.
DR
Geneva still diplomat
The load is launched. Will it be successful? It will probably depend on the Germanic reactions to the “Germanic diktat”. Because, for the moment, official Geneva still plays the diplomatic card.
“After a long preparatory work carried out for several years with Singapore Airlines,” launches for example the spokesperson for Cointrin, Ignace Jeannerat, the realization of a direct line between Singapore and Geneva could not succeed this spring. The management of Geneva Airport is in contact with the management of Swiss and the management of Lufthansa – members of Star Alliance with which is associated Singapore Airlines – to obtain clarifications and thus develop this highly priority file for Geneva Airport. And to complete: “At this stage of exchanges, Geneva Airport does not wish to add other comments, if not its hope of soon making this important project for the region and in particular for the French economy.”
The Genevois Department of Finance, which oversees the airport, is on the same wavelength: “The Geneva State, reports its spokesperson, Dejan Nikolic, fully supports the Geneva Airport procedures, which is in contact with Lufthansa and Swiss -members of Star Alliance with which Singapore Airlines is associated -to allow the opening of a direct line between Singapore and Geneva. The latter was asked by Geneva companies; It is particularly important for the region’s economy. ”
Find another alliance?
What if nothing moves? It’s a bit early to say: “There are perhaps other options, wants to hope Pierre-Gabriel Bieri, member of the Political Team of the Employer Center, in charge of aviation. Perhaps another company belonging to another alliance would be interested. We cannot underestimate the importance of aviation and our various airport infrastructure for the French-speaking economy. In this case, our cantons have interests to assert. ”
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