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The Swiss government will provide CHF 1.9 billion (USD 1.96 billion) to the domestic aviation sector to bridge liquidity shortfalls as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Some CHF 1.275 billion (USD 1.31 billion) will go directly for the two airlines, Swiss and Edelweiss, while up to CHF 600 million (USD 618 million) will be allocated to other companies vital to the functioning of the sector.
The Swiss parliament still needs to sign off on the package. Aircraft movements at Swiss national airports have ground to a near halt, placing both carriers and the wider sector under severe financial strain.
The aid, first mooted by transport minister Simonetta Sommaruga last month, comes with strict conditions, primarily that the funds used are only to be used for Swiss infrastructure. And while Swiss, a subsidiary of German group Lufthansa, and Edelweiss will benefit, easyJet Switzerland will not.
The low-cost carrier must instead look to its British parent company to solve any liquidity issues, the Swiss government explained.
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