With the opening of Edelweiss’ new non-stop Halifax – Zurich route, the breathtaking landscapes, charming cities and cultural wealth of Switzerland will be closer than ever next summer.

Edelweiss, a new airline partner of Halifax Stanfield International Airport (Halifax Stanfield), is a Swiss airline operating from Zurich Airport, connecting Switzerland with popular holiday destinations in Europe and long-haul destinations in North America, the Caribbean, South America, Africa and Asia.

Edelweiss is a sister company of Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS), which is part of the Lufthansa Group. Edelweiss is named after the Edelweiss flower, a symbol of the Swiss Alps, reflecting the airline’s Swiss heritage and commitment to quality.

“We are delighted to welcome Edelweiss as our newest airline partner and add Zurich to our ever-growing list of transatlantic routes,” said Joyce Carter, President and CEO of the Halifax International Airport Authority.

“Edelweiss is known for its efficient, high-quality service, which fits well with the welcoming and seamless airport experience that Halifax Stanfield is known for. With a flight time of approximately seven hours, we can’t wait to welcome more Swiss and European visitors to Nova Scotia next summer.”

Halifax is just one of three Canadian cities that Edelweiss flies to. The airline will operate the new nonstop connection Halifax – Zurich twice a week with its Airbus A340-300, which comfortably seats 314 passengers in business and economy class.

“The nonstop flight to Halifax offers our guests a convenient starting point for exploring Atlantic Canada, an exciting travel destination,” says Bernd Bauer, CEO of Edelweiss.

“This route ideally complements our popular flights to Calgary and Vancouver in Western Canada. Swiss visitors are known for their longer stays and greater economic contribution compared to other international travellers. We expect this new route to bring over 4,000 visitors to Halifax each summer, representing an economic impact of over 20 million Canadian dollars for the region. At the same time, travellers from Atlantic Canada can now more easily discover Switzerland or use the excellent hub in Zurich to get connecting flights to almost anywhere in Europe and beyond.”

As a sister company of SWISS, Edelweiss benefits from the parent company’s global network and resources, including the possibility of codesharing with Star Alliance partners such as Air Canada. Thanks to this partnership, Edelweiss can offer a seamless travel experience to passengers connecting via Zurich and Halifax.

“We are delighted that Edelweiss is investing in air services to Nova Scotia,” said Allan MacMaster, Nova Scotia’s Minister of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage. “Europe is an important market for our province and this new route will support business connections and help attract more visitors to Nova Scotia.”

From 2025, Zurich will be the seventh transatlantic airport connected to Halifax Stanfield, with more than 30 flights per week between Halifax and Europe between six airlines during the summer season. For a full list of nonstop services at Halifax Stanfield, visit www.halifaxstanfield.ca/non–stop.

Edelweiss Halifax – Zurich route timetable

*All times shown are local times

This press release was prepared and distributed by the Halifax International Airport Authority.