SWISS cancels dozens of flights at Zurich Airport amid severe thunderstorms

Severe thunder and lightning near Zurich Airport have forced SWISS to cancel 27 flights scheduled for Friday, August 28. Travellers should expect delays and potential additional cancellations.

Delays and cancellations impact thousands of SWISS passengers

In a SWISS newsbrief, the airline announced that around 3.100 passengers travelling to or from Zurich today are affected by cancellations and delays of up to three hours. Further flights may be cancelled as severe weather continues.

Intense thunderstorms are sweeping across Switzerland and are having “a significant impact on our flight operations,” explained SWISS. Lightning is frequently being recorded near the airport, which means that “ground operations [have] largely come to a standstill.”

Almost 50.000 lightning strikes recorded

SRF Meteo has recorded 46.000 lightning strikes and two large hail storms in a short period of time across the country, according to Watson. 

Airport staff in Zurich are unable to safely load, unload and refuel aircraft due to the risk of lightning strikes on nearby metal structures. The weather is also “restrict[ing] the number of possible takeoffs and landings” at the airport.

SWISS added that it is “very aware of what this means for our passengers” and that its staff are “working tirelessly to keep operations as stable as possible.”