Slide 42:
In the mid-1990s, “Qualiflyer” was initiated, a group formed for companies in which the holding SAirGroup invested. The following major companies taking part in the SAirGroup stood out: TAP Air Portugal, Sabena, LTU, Portugália, Crossair, AOM and Air Liberté. This expansionist policy was found to be disastrous: In 2000, the SAirGroup lost more than 1 billion dollars in less than one year, leading to an administrative uprising, so that all main executives were replaced. Too late, since already in high indebtedness, the assault of 11 th September 2001 represented a hard blow to all airlines worldwide. On 2 nd October 2001, all Swissair aircraft were held back on European airports because there was no cash for fuel. This resulted in the total grounding of all flights. Also, in September 1998, an accident in which an MD-11 had crashed near Halifax on the coast of Nova Scotia in Canada, also contributed to the bankruptcy that followed.
Slide 43:
The trademark Swissair disappeared from the skies of the world on 1 st April 2002,which changed to the new trademark “Swiss”, resulting in the merger of Swissair with its successor Crossair. When the MD-11 HB-IWA landed in Zurich on 1 st April 2002, flight SR145 from São Paulo definitely ended 71 years of tradition, efficiency and passenger relations. The airline code “SR” disappeard, and neither the callsign “Swissair” nor the ICAO-Code “SWR” were kept for the successor copmany, SWISS International Air Lines, who then became “LX”. The Swiss banks, creditors of the company, renounced any contribution of capital, causing the collapse of one of the most traditional airlines in the world. The Swiss Government intervened with a salvation package, restoring parts of flight services. But the damage was done. Orders of aircraft (A340-600) were cancelled , several services suspended. Shareholder participants in the Qualiflyer companies left the airports and went to court. The company did not survive.
Slide 57:
Music James Last: Everything is fine Research and pictures: Google http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/ External Connectins Swiss.com/brasil Swiss.com Swiss Fan Web Site
Slide 58:
Produced by José Carlos Suman, Brazil suman.josecarlos@gmail.com Re-edited and completed by Jean-Claude Girod, Ireland girod@eircom.net Partners in Brazil and Ireland, thanks to the virtual paths of the "Net" The End