Flights from Cornwall to Switzerland are set to increase this summer after Swiss airline Edelweiss announced changes to its Newquay to Zurich schedule. The carrier has confirmed it will operate an extra Friday rotation between Cornwall Airport Newquay and Zurich Airport across the peak summer period.
Enhanced Frequency During Peak Season
The route, which currently runs on Wednesdays and Sundays each week, will operate three times a week between July 3 and August 21. This additional flight rotation brings the Zurich-Newquay route to its highest frequency since its launch.
Cornwall Airport stated that having flights on Fridays would allow business travellers an end-of-week return option, enabling shorter outbound trips without the need to extend stays due to limited flight windows.
Positive Development for Cornwall
Nigel Scott, commercial director of Cornwall Airport Newquay, commented: "This is a very positive development for Cornwall Airport Newquay and a clear endorsement of the Zurich route's performance within the Edelweiss network. The increased frequency during peak summer reflects strong demand for Cornwall and the success of our partnership in developing the route. Additional capacity will support inbound tourism, enhance connectivity via Zurich, and provide greater flexibility for passengers. We look forward to building on this momentum with Edelweiss in the seasons ahead."
Contrast with Skybus Route Cancellation
This announcement comes just weeks after Cornish carrier Skybus cancelled all future flights between Newquay and London. The airline had been operating the daily route from the county to the capital under a public service obligation after previous operator Eastern Airways collapsed. The agreement, funded by Cornwall Council and the Department for Transport, was scheduled to run until the end of May, but the last flight took place on Thursday, April 2.
"Due to circumstances beyond our control, services will now cease earlier than planned," Skybus wrote in a statement on its website. "Customers with bookings for travel throughout April and May are being contacted directly. All affected customers are entitled to a full refund, which will be processed back to the original method of payment. We sincerely apologise for the disappointment and inconvenience this will cause and appreciate your understanding."
Skybus boss Jonathan Hinkles attributed the cancellation to the "huge rise" in fuel costs following the conflict in the Middle East, as well as a sharp fall in passenger numbers.
