For the bridging financing of aviation

The Federal Council wants to support Swiss aviation in the Corona crisis. It intends to have a concrete concept drawn up by the end of April. According to a Media release bridge financing is to be examined, subject to strict conditions.

Actors in aviation who apply for aid should, for example, have to provide proof that all financing options have been exhausted. The funds should only be used for Swiss aviation and should not be allowed to flow to foreign parent companies - such as Swiss parent Lufthansa. Assurances are also expected that Switzerland's international air links will be maintained in the long term. As long as the Confederation has a guarantee outstanding, supported companies should also not be allowed to pay out dividends or repatriate funds.

The airline Swiss welcomes the decision of the Confederation. It points out that it is currently also being supported by Lufthansa. But because the duration of the crisis cannot be estimated, "the subsidiary support of the Confederation gives security to survive even a longer-lasting crisis".

According to the Zurich Airport the planned measures can ensure "that the temporary crisis in global aviation does not result in structural, lasting damage to the regional and national economy". It is important that not only airlines, but all systemically important companies can benefit from the aid. The airport itself currently assumes that it will not have to apply for a bridging loan. (Source: admin.ch)