The Swiss airline is responding to falling demand for vacations in the United States. But other routes are also being eliminated.
April 16, 2026, 10:48April 16, 2026, 10:48
Rabid operations by the ICE authorities against residents in their own country. The war against Iran. The customs hammer. The Gaga-Fifa Peace Prize. Or the argument with the Pope. The list of negative headlines from the White House could go on and on – even to the dismay of numerous tourism companies. Because Trump’s behavior has ruined many people’s desire to vacation in the USA.
Edelweiss is feeling the lull in the USA when it comes to bookings.IMAGO / dieBildmanufaktur
The Swiss holiday airline Edelweiss is also feeling this. Now she reacts. The Lufthansa subsidiary is removing two US routes from its network in its summer flight schedule – with immediate effect. These are Denver in Colorado and Seattle in Washington state.
There are still flights to the glittering city of Las Vegas. But in early summer and autumn the frequencies are reduced. Edelweiss speaks of a “declining demand for individual destinations in the USA”.
Edelweiss is canceling flights to Seattle, among other things.Image: wikimedia
Oman is also eliminated
The string concert continues. In the 2026/27 winter flight schedule, Muscat and Salalah in Oman also fly from the Edelweiss route network. “The decisive factor for the adjustments is the ongoing effects of the geopolitical situation, particularly in connection with the Middle East conflict,” the airline writes in a statement.
Another reason given by Edelweiss is the development of fuel prices. As is well known, the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz during the Iran War caused kerosene prices to explode. Most recently, the Association of European Airlines, which also includes Swiss and Edelweiss, even turned to the EU. They are demanding political support due to the expensive aviation fuel (CH Media reported).
The affected guests who have already booked their flights to the USA or Oman will be contacted by Edelweiss. You will be rebooked on alternative connections or, if you wish, you will receive a refund of the ticket price.
Edelweiss will soon no longer fly to Oman either.Image: keystone
Persecuted optimism
At the beginning of the year, before the outbreak of the Iran war, things sounded different at Edelweiss regarding the airline’s four US destinations: “We even want to fly to Seattle three times a week instead of twice this year,” said Edelweiss boss Bernd Bauer in an interview with CH Media. “Denver is relatively stable with two to three flights per week. And Tampa, Florida is doing very well. Las Vegas has recently achieved reasonable results.”
Even then, however, he admitted that the situation was “very difficult to predict”. “Last year we initially thought we wouldn’t feel anything, but then there was a dent, especially from Switzerland.” Accordingly, he did not rule out adjustments to the flight plan. Now this case has occurred.
A March ago, Edelweiss sister Swiss announced that it would have to cancel over 300 flights in the summer, including several rotations to Chicago. She justifies this with the ongoing shortage of pilots and engine problems. But given the significantly lower demand in the USA, these cuts could not be inconvenient. (aargauerzeitung.ch)