LX161 Stopover in Astana, Kazakhstan
18.08.2024 SWISS Newsbrief #3: SWISS passengers en route from Astana to Zurich via Vienna
The Austrian Airlines aircraft carrying SWISS passengers took off from Astana at 09:35h (local time Zurich) with 331 passengers (including 18 SWISS crew members). The flight is expected to land in Vienna at 14:10h. SWISS has dispatched a Boeing 777-300ER to Vienna to bring the passengers to Zurich as quickly as possible. The aircraft is already on site and is being prepared for the flight to Zurich. The SWISS flight is expected to arrive at Zurich Airport at around 17:00h.
The SWISS commander personally informed the passengers on site in Astana about the further procedure. SWISS was able to offer all passengers a return journey on Austrian Airlines. It also organised hotel accommodation for the passengers, including transfers to and from the airport.
SWISS set up a task force yesterday morning with specialists from all its relevant departments. The people involved have been working around the clock to manage this challenging situation in the best interests of our passengers and crews. Among other things, SWISS had to set up the ground handling processes at Astana Airport in Kazakhstan on an ad-hoc basis together with the local staff. As the Kazakh capital is not part of SWISS's regular route network, there are no established local processes. For this reason, ground handling in Astana was delayed by around four hours. “We would like to thank all our passengers for their understanding and patience in this exceptional and unforeseen situation. We would like to apologise once again for any inconvenience caused,’ says SWISS Chief Operating Officer Oliver Buchhofer. “A big thank you also goes to all the employees involved for their tireless and outstanding efforts in this challenging situation.”
In the meantime, SWISS technical specialists have arrived in Astana to inspect the aircraft. This procedure is being carried out in consultation with Boeing and the local and Swiss authorities. Provided there are no objections to this inspection, a new SWISS crew will transfer the aircraft to Zurich as soon as possible. The crew is already on its way to Astana.
Due to the additional flight to Vienna with a Boeing 777, SWISS unfortunately has to cancel today's flight to/from Los Angeles, as no further reserve aircraft is available. In addition, today's departure to Bangkok will be delayed by several hours and the flight to Sao Paulo will be postponed from Monday evening to Tuesday morning. However, the flight to Sao Paulo this evening can be operated as planned - contrary to yesterday's assumption. Further delays or cancellations will depend on the return of the Boeing 777 from Astana and its operational capability. SWISS is continuing to focus all available resources on minimising the impact on flight operations and thus on its passengers.
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17.08.2024 SWISS Newsbrief #2: Austrian Airlines supports SWISS with aircraft after stopover in Astana
SWISS is being assisted by its sister company Austrian Airlines following the unscheduled landing in Astana due to a medical emergency. The Austrian airline is sending a Boeing 777-200 aircraft to the Kazakh capital to transport SWISS passengers to Vienna. Arrival in Vienna is scheduled for 10:15 a.m. (Zurich local time) tomorrow Sunday. Passengers will then be taken to Zurich or their final destination. This option is the best solution for the passengers on the original flight from Tokyo to Zurich so that they can be transported onwards as quickly as possible. It also minimises the impact on SWISS's overall flight operations. SWISS passengers and crew will be accommodated in hotels until departure from Astana to Vienna with Austrian Airlines.
The SWISS Boeing 777-300ER in Astana is being inspected on site for damage caused by the turnaround manoeuvre. As a consequence of the missing aircraft in service, SWISS regrettably has to postpone its long-haul flights to Sao Paulo from this evening and tomorrow to the following morning. In addition, the departure time for a further long-haul flight tomorrow lunchtime will be delayed.
SWISS is proactively informing passengers of the flight changes. ‘We deeply regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers. Our crew and the staff at Astana Airport are doing their utmost to provide passengers with the best possible service. At the same time, we would like to thank Austrian Airlines for their support. We are pleased to be part of the Lufthansa Group and to be able to count on their support also in unforeseen situations like this,’ says SWISS Chief Operating Officer Oliver Buchhofer.
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17.08.2024 SWISS Newsbrief #1: SWISS has landed in Astana, Kazakhstan, due to a medical emergency
We can confirm that the crew of flight LX161 from Tokyo to Zurich decided to make a stopover in Astana (Kazakhstan) due to a medical incident on board. The passenger concerned was handed over to medical personnel on site.
The landing was uneventful. As the taxiway at Astana airport was closed, the crew had to turn the aircraft 180 degrees on the runway. The aircraft's nose wheel got caught in the grass and got stuck. As is usual in such cases, the aircraft had to be towed back onto the runway. This has already been done. The Boeing 777 aircraft will now be examined by specialists for damage. When it will be operational again is also the subject of the investigation.
We are now working at full speed to see how we can fly our passengers to Zurich or their destination as quickly as possible. As the rebooking options in Astana are limited, the possibility of sending a new aircraft with a new crew from Zurich is also being examined.
There were 319 passengers on board.