Swiss unsure about future of new national airline
The majority of Swiss do not believe in the future success of the country's new national airline, according to a survey published on Sunday.
The survey, carried out by Isopublic and published in the German-speaking newspaper “SonntagsBlick”, found that 42 per cent of those questioned believed the new airline would have “very little chance” of success.
Only seven per cent of the 600 Swiss questioned by the pollsters said they thought the airline had a “very good chance” of long-term survival.
Under a deal hammered out between the federal government, banks and industry leaders in October, the Swiss regional airline, Crossair, is due to re-launch as the country’s new flag carrier in spring 2002, when it takes over the rump of the collapsed Swissair’s routes.
In a survey carried out for the same paper in October, 50 per cent of those polled said they supported government intervention to save the Swiss aviation industry.
Two months later, that figure has fallen to 43 per cent.
The latest survey will be a blow to Crossair’s new chairman, Pieter Bouw, who said last week his major task would be to boost public confidence within Switzerland in the new airline.
Difference of opinion
The poll also reveals a difference of opinion between Swiss living in cantons Zurich and Basel.
In Zurich, where the headquarters of the collapsed Swissair Group are located, 60 per cent of those surveyed said they supported financial intervention from the Swiss government.
That figure drops to just 37 per cent in Basel, home of the regional carrier, Crossair.
Analysts said the strong show of support for the rescue package in Zurich provided a clue as to the outcome of a cantonal vote next month.
On January 13, citizens in canton Zurich are due to vote on whether the regional government should invest SFr300 million in the project to build a new national airline.
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