They have just said it on Swiss TV - Swissair is not flying, they cannot pay for Fuel!!!!

It is also on their website: <BR> <BR>http://www.sairgroup.com/apps/media/press/index.html# <BR> <BR>Swissair ceases flight operations with immediate effect <BR> <BR>Zurich Airport, October 2, 2001 – Swissair has been forced to cease all flight operations today with immediate effect. Despite intensive efforts throughout the day, the company has been unable to obtain the liquidity needed to secure daily business and safe operations. It is uncertain at this time when flight operations will resume. <BR> <BR>All Swissair flights had to be suspended from 12:30 CET (10:30 UTC) today. The decision that no further aircraft would be allowed to depart from Switzerland was taken at 15:45 CET (13:45 UTC). The aircraft currently abroad will be flown back to Switzerland as soon as possible. <BR> <BR>Swissair regrets this measure, which has a drastic impact, especially for its passengers and staff. The action is being taken in what has traditionally been the strongest month of the year in revenue terms, and affects not only thousands of passengers but also thousands of jobs in and outside Switzerland. Far more jobs are now at risk than the 2650 announced yesterday. <BR> <BR>

The focus of this news release leads me to believe that the specter of "lost jobs" will get the swiss government going somehow here... but it won't be immediate.

What? Government subsidies for an ailing airline? You're kidding, Switzerland is not a socialist country! <BR>As they say in the US, 'the government is part of the problem, not of the solution'.

Swissair is not getting subsidies from the government and not even money for fuel from the banks.

What does this mean for future flights??!! I have confirmed seats for November, help!

I know--I have a flight DOMANI ! I have been scrambling all morning with no resolution. I hope Delta or AF will take their ticket.

I, too have a flight booked for tomorrow! Cannot get through to ticketing agent or Swissair.... <BR> <BR>Bob - please let me know if you come up with any info.

Bob and Leslie, <BR>If I were in your shoes, I would try calling other carriers to see if they will accept the SwissAir tickets. I think I would first contact other "partner-allianced" air carriers with SwissAir. <BR>Buona fortuna! Ciao, <BR>Giovanni

I just called American, which is part of the alliance, mileage-wise, that includes Swissair. As of right now, they do not have a "protect order" to honor Swissair tickets. I was told that that may change, so made a reservation just in case....

I have talked with Delta, AF,United,and Lufthansa with no luck. They all have flights from Atlanta but do not have any agreements with them. <BR>I may go to Atlanta anyway and see if they are forced into taking passengers.

Anyone know how this affects Sabena since they own a large share of them? I know they were already in trouble

Mickey, See the other SwissAir thread.

Well, have called several airlines - none will honor my Swissair ticket for tomorrow night. Lufthansa will at least waive the advance purchase requirement and give me a half-decent fare, so I may just bite the bullet and buy another ticket. Not ready to give up on this trip.... <BR> <BR>(I've also called my credit card co. to dispute the charges for the Swissair ticket, so may get that money refunded eventually - though they can't promise at this point, since the situation is so indefinite.)

Some inter-European swissair flights are being picked up by Crossair at this point. There is a list on the swissair website at www.swissair.com At this point no compensation is available. Because of the legal situation for thecompany, the airport management has been helping stranded passengers. <BR>As for frequent flyer miles [my main concern] -- I had to go to babelfish to get it sort of translated, but the gist is that swissair miles will be honored on other memebers of the "qualiflyer" group, which includes Crossair, Sabena [which just declared bankruptcy] and LOT Polish Airlines [swissair had a small ownership stake here too...]. Unless of course the whole group disolves, which, given some of the inter-relationships, isn't a faint possibility. I'd like to wring the necks of those who brought swissair down. It was a good airline with a proud history.