The decision by Switzerland’s national carrier “Swiss” to offer low-cost fares from Geneva has been attacked as proof that the airline lacks a coherent business strategy.

Ren� L�chinger, a leading aviation expert, warned that the move would alienate premium customers and confuse the company’s shareholders.

Swiss on Friday announced that it would be offering what it calls “Easy Savers” on flights to London Heathrow, Paris, Barcelona and Nice, with prices starting from SFr99.

These are all routes run by Europe’s leading “no frills” airline, easyJet.

“In the long run, it’s a very dangerous strategy because if you want to be a premium airline, you can’t compete with the low-cost carriers,” L�chinger told swissinfo.

“You must decide if you want to be a premium airline with a good service and higher prices or whether you want to be low cost. I think to be both is impossible.”

More at:

http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/swissinfo.html?siteSect=161&sid=1560133