History was made today as a Swiss International Air Lines aircraft touched down in Košice for the first time. Departing from Zurich Airport just before noon, an Airbus A220 carrying 134 passengers landed at Košice Airport at 13:40 local time.

The aircraft received a ceremonial water cannon salute from the Fire & Rescue team at Košice Airport, a traditional welcome for inaugural flights. Passengers at the airport were greeted with world-famous Swiss chocolate, muffins, and a special cake, celebrating this milestone event. Notably, 137 passengers embarked on the inaugural flight departing from Košice .

This exclusive direct air service between Slovakia and Switzerland opens a gateway of opportunities within the SWISS network for travellers from Eastern Slovakia. It offers seamless connections to long-haul destinations such as Tel Aviv, San Francisco, Sao Paulo, Johannesburg, Montreal, New York, Miami, Chicago, Boston, Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Shanghai, with convenient transfers in Zurich.

Additionally, the route provides perfect connections to numerous European destinations within the SWISS network, including Milan, Stockholm, Geneva, Venice, and Valencia, enhancing the travel experience for our passengers.

CEO & Chairman of the management board of Košice Airport Thomas Dworschak said at the press conference: „We are immensely proud to welcome Swiss International Air Lines to Košice, marking a significant milestone in our journey to connect Eastern Slovakia with the rest of the world. This inaugural flight from Zurich to Košice not only bridges two dynamic regions but also opens a realm of global opportunities for our travelers. It symbolizes a step forward in our commitment to enhancing accessibility and fostering economic, cultural, and social exchanges. We look forward to a fruitful partnership with Swiss International Air Lines and to the many benefits this direct connection will bring to our region and beyond."

“Switzerland and Slovakia have long enjoyed close economic and cultural ties,” says Stefan Bednar, Director Sales Slovakia for the Lufthansa Group and SWISS. “We’re delighted that, with SWISS’s new flights to Zurich and convenient onward connections to Geneva, the up-and-coming Košice region will now be even better connected with both Switzerland and the world. The new Košice-Zurich route should appeal to business and leisure travellers alike,” Bednar continues. “And for the Slovak community in Switzerland, it will offer a quick and convenient way to visit family and friends in the east of their home country.”

Rastislav Trnka, president of Košice self-governing region said:

"The inauguration of the direct flight service between Zurich and Košice by Swiss International Air Lines is a landmark achievement for our region. This connection is more than just a route; it's a bridge between cultures, economies, and communities, bringing immense potential for growth and development to Košice and the wider Eastern Slovakia. It enhances our accessibility to key global markets and strengthens our ties with Switzerland, a country known for its innovation and quality. This service will undoubtedly contribute to the prosperity of our region, facilitating business exchanges, boosting tourism, and providing our citizens with greater opportunities for international travel."

Peter Nelson, Swiss ambassador to Slovakia said:

“The inauguration of the direct flight between Zurich and Košice by Swiss International Air Lines marks a significant milestone in the relations between Switzerland and Slovakia. This link strengthens the connection between Eastern Slovakia and the wider world. I am proud to witness this moment, which symbolizes the potential for further collaboration and friendship between our two countries.”

Summer 2024 flight schedule on the route Zürich – Košice – Zürich: