SWISS Airlines retrieves final stored aircraft from Amman, restores fleet to full capacity

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

SWISS aircraft fleet has resumed full operations starting today, marking the return of the last aircraft previously stored due to the impact of the COVID-19 crisis. The Airbus A320 with registration HB-IJO, after a three-year stint in Amman, Jordan, reentered service on Sunday and has officially commenced passenger flights again. This concludes the return of all 25 aircraft that SWISS had stored in response to the pandemic.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, SWISS had to adjust its operations significantly due to a drastic decline in travel demand. Consequently, 25 of its aircraft were placed in storage in Amman, Jordan. However, with meticulous oversight by SWISS’s technical experts and in collaboration with local maintenance partners, these aircraft underwent routine inspections of their installed components. Maintenance included regular checks on hydraulic systems and engine functionality. Amman’s arid climate was particularly beneficial for long-term storage, shielding the aircraft from potential rusting due to low humidity.

Claus Bauer, Head of Technical Fleet Management at SWISS, expressed his satisfaction at the return of the stored aircraft to the operational fleet. He highlighted the considerable effort invested in ensuring each aircraft’s flawless technical condition for their return to Zurich.

Among these stored aircraft, the Airbus A320-200 with registration HB-IJO, which joined SWISS in its foundational years, stands out. Since its construction in 1997, this twinjet has served the airline, accommodating 180 passengers and accumulating over 63,596 flight hours and 45,042 takeoff/landing cycles in its more than 26 years of service.

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