SWISS is replacing a lost domestic air route in Switzerland with a train service. Adria Airways, prior to its collapse, used to fly between Lugano and Zurich in partnership with SWISS. However, with Adria's collapse, this route is no longer in operation. While SWISS has stepped in elsewhere, they are opting instead to offer a rail service, called "Flugzug," instead of flying their own aircraft between the two cities.

Lugano to Zurich

Lugano is located in the southern part of Switzerland and is a well-known holiday destination. Previously, Adria Airways used to fly between the two cities on behalf of SWISS. In the aftermath of Adria's demise, SWISS opted against initiating air services between the two cities.

Adria Lugano
Adria Airways used to fly on behalf of SWISS between Lugano and Zurich. Photo: Bene Riobo via Wikimedia Commons

Lugano is an interesting city in Switzerland. It lies closer to Milan than it does Zurich. So, passengers have an option to fly to Milan and instead find alternative travel arrangements to Lugano. The driving distance between Milan and Lugano is only about 80 kilometers or just under 50 miles. There are also rail services between Milan's Malpensa Airport and Lugano.

Swiss Adria Train Service
Passengers will be able to travel to Lugano from Zurich via rail instead of air. Rendering created at Great Circle Mapper

SWISS train service

In a press release, SWISS announced the new "Flugzug" train service between Zurich and Lugano. The train service is set to commence on October 16th. Those who wish to travel to Lugano via SWISS will be booked on the rail service and some will even see a SWISS flight number for the train service. Passengers who book this as part of a SWISS flight will not have to pay extra for the train service.

SWISS
Passengers on SWISS can travel to Lugano via select train services with SWISS flight numbers. Photo: SWISS

The "Flugzug" service is expected to run 14 times daily. As a result, there are plenty of opportunities to leverage connections to or from a SWISS flight. Although the train service is slower than a flight, replacing smaller routes such as this one with a train service is better for the environment.

However, SWISS does not make mention of the environmental benefits or "flight shaming" as a reason for this service. While it may be a motivator in the decision, SWISS also likely replaced this Adria route with a train service in order to avoid having to make room in the schedule for an aircraft to operate the route.

SWISS Lugano
SWISS likely sees greater benefit in flying aircraft elsewhere than this short route. Photo: SWISS

Lufthansa Group steps in post-Adria

In the aftermath of the collapse of Adria Airways, Lufthansa Group's airlines stepped in with their own services to Slovenia. SWISS indeed did launch its own route between Ljubljana and Zurich, slated to start from October 16th. This increase in service will help replace some, but not all, of the lost capacity from Adria's demise.

Lufthansa Group Adria
Lufthansa Group airlines stepped in to replace lost service after Adria's collapse. Photo: Lufthansa Group

Would you rather fly into Milan or Zurich for travels to Lugano? Will you take the rail service between Lugano and Zurich? Let us know in the comments!