SWISS names Airbus A340 “Schaffhausen”

One of SWISS’s Airbus A340 long-haul aircraft is now carrying the name “Schaffhausen” all over the world. The aircraft was formally named today by Marcel Wenger, the present Mayor of the city in Northern Switzerland.

The naming ceremony at Zurich Airport was further attended by around 100 visitors who had travelled by special train to the event in a multiple unit also bearing the “Schaffhausen” name. Its aircraft namesake departed for Los Angeles after the ceremony.

SWISS named another member of its long-haul fleet after a Swiss city today as part of its new aircraft naming concept. This time it was the cantonal capital of Schaffhausen which gave its name to Airbus A340 HB-JMI.

“We are delighted that an aircraft of our national airline now bears the name of our city,” said Marcel Wenger, the Mayor of Schaffhausen, at the naming ceremony. “Being so close to Zurich Airport and its attractive air connections is a major factor in our fine city’s appeal as a home and business location,” he continued. “We really benefit from the extensive SWISS network – in both business and tourism terms.”

SWISS CEO Christoph Franz also attended the naming ceremony. “Schaffhausen is a firm part of our airport region,” Franz commented, “especially now that the Swiss railways have increased their direct train services. Zurich Airport and SWISS are major generators of employment throughout the region. And many Schaffhausen residents come to the airport every day, be it to work or to travel by air.”

“From now on, though,” Franz continued, “Schaffhausen won’t just have a train unit named after it; it will have a long-haul aircraft bearing its name, too.” Around 30 Schaffhausen schoolchildren were closely involved in organising the naming ceremony.

At the invitation of the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), the invitees from the city and the canton of Schaffhausen used an S16 regional train to get to the event. Since the latest SBB timetables, the S16 has provided a direct rail connection between Schaffhausen and Zurich Airport. “Good transport links – by rail, road and air – are of crucial importance to the Schaffhausen region,” said Canton Schaffhausen Government Councillor Hans-Peter Lenherr.