Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) will make vaccination against COVID-15 mandatory for all its aircrew from 19 November. This is in response to national entry restrictions worldwide, which are also increasingly pushing for proof of such vaccination for aircrew. Hong Kong recently became the first destination to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination with immediate effect for crews arriving from certain countries, including Switzerland.
Separate organizational management of vaccinated and unvaccinated crew members and the resulting complexity of the involved duty rosters make it impossible to guarantee a solid and reliable flight operation in the longer term. Some destinations and regions could no longer be served, and this in turn would severely reduce the effectiveness of the SWISS hub system. The separate treatment of the two crew categories would also entail unequal treatment in rosters. In addition, SWISS, as a global airline, and given the sufficient availability of effective COVID vaccines, wants to fully fulfill its duty of care towards its cockpit and cabin crew.
"We must start this action now if we are to maintain our global route network and fulfill our obligations of care to our employees."
In adopting the new vaccination requirement, SWISS is supported by corresponding provisions in the collective bargaining agreements for its flight and cabin crew, which provide for such action under such circumstances. SWISS is also conducting an open and transparent dialogue with its social partners on the planned mandate, according to Swiss International Air Lines.
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