Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA
Print page

Before the return flight to Switzerland: pictures and impressions from all continents

A table as a check-in counter, a tent as a waiting hall, bus convoys as a means of transport to the airport: in times of the coronavirus, imagination and improvisation are often called for until Swiss travellers are on the charter plane that takes them back to Switzerland. Pictures and videos from all continents bear witness to the commitment of all those involved to make the FDFA's repatriation Action a success story.

24.04.2020
FDFA COVID-19

#flyinghome in pictures

#flyinghome is the largest repatriation action of Swiss nationals in history. Following the coronavirus epidemic, the FDFA has enabled thousands of citizens to return home. Discover the images and impressions from airports all over the world.

Image gallery

#flyinghome from Asia and Africa
17 Images
#flyinghome from Australia
5 Images
#flyinghome from South America
18 Images
1 / 17
Two Swiss women carry out administrative formalities at Dakar airport before boarding a return flight to Switzerland.
#Flyinghome Senegal – Switzerland. Two of the 73 Swiss travellers who checked in for the Dakar-Zurich flight on March 26 present themselves for administrative procedures at the Senegalese airport. © FDFA
2 / 17
Thumbs up, Swiss caps and masks are a must for a photo pose at Dakar airport before the next flight to Switzerland.
#Flyinghome Senegal – Switzerland. The epidemic and the masks do not prevent the wearing of a cap in the colours of Switzerland and thumbs up for a photo at Dakar airport. © FDFA
3 / 17
Three Swiss citizens are photographed at Frankfurt airport after boarding in Kathmandu.
#Flyinghome Nepal – Europe. Living solidarity between neighbouring countries. Three Swiss nationals who left Kathmandu arrived safely in Frankfurt. © FDFA
4 / 17
In the blue sky above the Philippine capital Manila stands out the boeing on the way to Zurich.
#Flyinghome Philippines – Switzerland. The boeing flying from Manila to Zurich takes off under a beautiful blue sky with more than 200 Swiss on board. © FDFA
5 / 17
A makeshift counter at the Swiss Embassy in Thailand has been set up in the check-in hall at Bangkok airport to help travellers on their return journey.
#Flyinghome Thailand – Switzerland. Improvised counter for the Swiss embassy in Thailand, which assists travellers departing for Switzerland at Bangkok airport. © FDFA
6 / 17
Swiss Embassy staff at Bangkok Airport assist passengers who have checked in for the flight from Bangkok to Zurich.
#Flyinghome Thailand – Switzerland. At Bangkok airport, Swiss Embassy staff provide assistance to travellers checking in for a flight from Bangkok to Zurich. © FDFA
7 / 17
Two screens in the departure lounge of Yangon airport show the flight to Zurich.
#Flyinghome Myanmar – Switzerland. The goal ahead: At Yangon airport, screens show the way to Switzerland. © FDFA
8 / 17
A sheet of paper lies on a table on which "Swiss Repatriation Flight" is written by hand.
#Flyinghome Myanmar – Switzerland. Unbureaucratic support: A staff member of the Swiss Embassy in Yangon is preparing the location where passengers can be registered for the flight to Zurich. © FDFA
9 / 17
Three employees of the embassy are standing at a table with hygiene and disinfectant products.
#Flyinghome Myanmar – Switzerland. Despite improvised preparation for boarding the aircraft, the hygiene standards are taken seriously. © FDFA
10 / 17
In the hangar of Yangon airport, passengers stand in queues in front of the check-in counters.
#Flyinghome Myanmar – Switzerland. The departure is approaching: Passengers are standing at the check-in counter for the flight to Zurich. © FDFA
11 / 17
The Swiss ambassador to Myanmar, Tim Enderlin, is standing at the door of the Edelweiss aircraft in Yangon. An edelweiss flower is painted on the door.
#Flyinghome Myanmar – Switzerland. Support until departure: The Swiss Ambassador to Myanmar, Tim Enderlin, and his staff have done everything to ensure that travellers can board the plane that will take them to Switzerland. © FDFA
12 / 17
Passengers get off a bus at the entrance of Goa airport in India. They are greeted by staff from the local Swiss representations.
#flyinghome India - Switzerland. Passengers for the flight Goa - Zurich arrive at Goa airport. They are greeted by members of the local Swiss representations. © FDFA
13 / 17
Coronavirus information desk at Goa International Airport.
#flyinghome India - Switzerland. Coronavirus information desk at Goa International Airport, organised in collaboration with Switzerland. Passengers are informed about the symptoms of the virus, the precautions to be taken and the recommendations of the health authorities concerning behaviour and hygiene. © FDFA
14 / 17
Passengers for the Goa-Zurich flight are waiting in the lobby of the Goa airport.
#flyinghome India - Switzerland. Passengers for the Goa-Zurich flight are waiting in the lobby of the Goa airport. © FDFA
15 / 17
On the departure screen, the Goa-Dubai flight is announced on time.
#flyinghome India - Switzerland. On the departure screen, the Goa-Dubai flight is announced on time. After Dubai, the plane will continue on to Zurich. © FDFA
16 / 17
Three passengers wearing masks proudly display their Indian customs clearance badges to board the next flight to Switzerland.
#flyinghome India - Switzerland. To have around your neck the permission of the Indian customs to leave India and board the next flight to Switzerland is undoubtedly a great satisfaction. © FDFA
17 / 17
The Edelweiss Boeing is being prepared on the taxiway at Goa airport shortly before take-off.
#flyinghome India - Switzerland. The Edelweiss Boeing is being prepared on the taxiway at Goa airport shortly before take-off. © FDFA
1 / 5
Staff of the Swiss Consulate General in Sydney pose in front of an illuminated sign indicating the departure hall.
#flyinghome Australien - Schweiz. Mitglieder des Teams des Schweizerischen Generalkonsulats in Sydney sind am Flughafen anwesend, um Schweizer Bürger beim Einsteigen in den Flug Sydney-Zürich zu empfangen und zu unterstützen. © FDFA
2 / 5
In the check-in hall of Sydney Airport, a garland of small Swiss flags immediately indicates where the right check-in counter is located.
#flyinghome Australia - Switzerland. In the check-in hall of Sydney Airport, a garland of small Swiss flags immediately indicates where the right check-in counter is located. © FDFA
3 / 5
Passengers are at the check-in counter to check in for the Sydney-Zurich flight.
#flyinghome Australia - Switzerland. The Sydney - Zurich flight operated by Edelweiss on 5 April is confirmed. Passengers can check in at the check-in counters. © FDFA
4 / 5
The square Swiss flag is displayed at a check-in counter at Sydney Airport.
#flyinghome Australia - Switzerland. Departure to Switzerland? It is beautiful here. The Swiss flag is displayed at a check-in counter of Sydney Airport, which is more than 16.000 kilometers away. © FDFA
5 / 5
The staff of the Consulate General of Switzerland in Sydney wear protective masks at Sydney's Kingsford-Smith Airport.
#flyinghome Australia - Switzerland. In order to contain the spread of the virus and to protect themselves when assisting travellers, staff from the Consulate General of Switzerland in Sydney wear protective masks while at Sydney's Kingsford-Smith airport. © FDFA
1 / 18
In the check-in hall at Bogotá airport, a member of the Swiss embassy in Colombia is sitting behind a table and a computer to assist travellers.
#Flyinghome Colombia – Switzerland. At Bogotá airport, a member of the Swiss embassy’s staff in Colombia assists travellers. © FDFA
2 / 18
A Swiss flag at Bogotá airport shows travellers the check-in counter for the next flight to Zurich.
#Flyinghome Colombia – Switzerland. A Swiss flag at Bogotá airport indicates the check-in counter for the next flight to Zurich. © FDFA
3 / 18
Travellers wait in a tent on the tarmac at Lima Airport in Peru before boarding the next flight to Zurich.
#Flyinghome Peru – Switzerland. 270 travellers from Switzerland and other European countries are ready for immediate boarding on the Lima-Zurich flight. © FDFA
4 / 18
At Lima airport, the army and cleaning professionals wearing gloves, masks and over-blouses leave no doubt about the seriousness of the health crisis linked to the coronavirus.
#Flyinghome Peru – Switzerland. At the airport of Lima, the presence of the army and cleaning professionals wearing gloves, masks and over-blouses leave no doubt about the seriousness of the sanitary crisis linked to the coronavirus. © FDFA
5 / 18
Several tourists board a bus organised by the Swiss Embassy. It takes them to Lima.
#Flyinghome Peru – Switzerland. Often the way to the airport is already a problem: In Peru, the Swiss Embassy organised bus convoys to Cusco, Tumbes and Arequipa to bring travellers to Lima © FDFA
6 / 18
Travelers line up to get on the bus. In the background are two more buses of the Swiss convoys.
#Flyinghome Peru – Switzerland. Before departure: Passengers wait until they can board the bus. © FDFA
7 / 18
In an office room, embassy staff draw the routes of the buses on posters on the wall.
#Flyinghome Peru – Switzerland. The Swiss Embassy in Lima must coordinate precisely so that the transport of travellers from northern, eastern and southern Peru arrives at Lima airport on time. © FDFA
8 / 18
At a checkpoint, a soldier checks if the bus has permission to pass through.
#Flyinghome Peru – Switzerland. Like many countries, Peru has restricted travel in the country to fight the spread of the coronavirus. The Swiss Embassy ensures the transport to Lima. © FDFA
9 / 18
An employee of the Swiss Embassy gives instructions to the travellers with a megaphone.
#Flyinghome Peru – Switzerland. Many travellers - one goal: not to miss the return flight to Switzerland. Sometimes the instruction at the right time helps to find the right bus © FDFA
10 / 18
Three buses are parked on the airfield of Lima airport, right next to the Edelweiss plane that will fly passengers back to Switzerland.
#Flyinghome Peru – Switzerland. After the journey through Peru is before departure: buses take travellers directly to the plane at Lima airport. © FDFA
11 / 18
Tents are located at the airfield of the airport of Lima. Below them are the passengers of the return flight to Zurich.
#Flyinghome Peru – Switzerland. Improvised departure hall: Passengers on the return flight to Zurich chartered by the FDFA wait in tents on the Lima airfield until they can board the plane. © FDFA
12 / 18
A plane, in front of it the flight stairs, through which a number of passengers board.
#Flyinghome Peru – Switzerland. Last steps in Lima: Passengers board the plane that will take them to Zurich. © FDFA
13 / 18
View from the plane to a group of embassy staff in red jackets standing and waving on the airfield.
#Flyinghome Peru – Switzerland. One last greeting: After intensive work, members of the Swiss Embassy in Peru are waving from the airfield to the passengers in the plane. © FDFA
14 / 18
At Mariscal Sucre International Airport on April 3, passengers on the Quito-Zurich flight check-in.
#flyinghome Ecuador - Switzerland. On April 3, passengers of the Quito-Zurich flight check in at Mariscal Sucre International Airport. © FDFA
15 / 18
A poster on a door in a terminal building at the airport in Quito, Ecuador, informs travelers of time restrictions on access after the coronavirus outbreak.
#flyinghome Ecuador - Switzerland. Almost every country in the world has imposed restrictions related to the coronavirus. In this case the access to the terminal is limited to Quito airport. © FDFA
16 / 18
Members of the flight crew are seated in the cockpit of the aircraft that will soon depart for Switzerland.
#flyinghome Ecuador - Switzerland. Checklist, aircraft and itinerary check, instructions to the flight crew, preparation of the cockpit: the flight crew of the Quito-Zurich route is ready for departure. © FDFA
17 / 18
Preparing the plane on the ground. Filling the holds, refuelling, security checks: the tasks for the teams on the taxiway of Quito airport are numerous.
#flyinghome Ecuador - Switzerland. On the taxiway the ground staff prepared the Boeing for the long return flight to Switzerland. The take-off is imminent. © FDFA
18 / 18
The plane on the Quito-Zurich connection takes off.
#flyinghome Ecuador - Switzerland. Take-off clearance granted for the flight Quito-Zurich © FDFA

24.04.2020 – 10.30

#flyinghome: The largest repatriation campain in Swiss history

«Grazie»

   

In a video message, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis expresses his thanks for the numerous personal messages that have reached him and the FDFA in recent weeks.

31.03.2020 – 20.00

#flyinghome: The FDFA in action for Swiss travellers around the world.

The FDFA is working intensively at its headquarters in Bern and in its representations abroad to ensure that Swiss travellers have return flight options.

COVID-19: Federal Councillor Cassis leads FDFA measures

Switzerland is active at various levels to combat COVID-19. The FDFA is carrying out its largest repatriation action to date and has brought back thousands of Swiss travellers to Switzerland. The FDFA Helpline provides advice on issues relating to Swiss nationals who are staying or living abroad. Federal Councillor Cassis is in permanent contact with all sections of the FDFA and is also informed about the measures taken by the cantons, particularly the canton of Ticino, which is particularly affected by the corona crisis.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis visits Ticino and brings two respirators.

    

Image gallery

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis visits Ticino and brings two ventilators
8 Images
1 / 8
Federal Councillor Cassis stands at the entrance to the government building.
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis arrives in Bellinzona at the Palazzo delle Orsoline, the seat of the Ticino government and parliament. © Repubblica e Cantone Ticino
2 / 8
Federal Councillor Cassis sits opposite the members of the Ticino Council of State. To his right is State Secretary Roberto Balzaretti. On the wall it is written "Repubblica e Cantone Ticino".
Accompanied by State Secretary Roberto Balzaretti, Federal Councillor Cassis speaks with members of the Ticino State Council and the cantonal command staff in the Chamber of Parliament. © Repubblica e Cantone Ticino
3 / 8
Two suitcases stand at the edge of the parliament hall. The suitcases contain two respirators.
Two suitcases with respirators brought by Federal Councillor Cassis during his visit to Ticino. They symbolise that the Confederation is aware of the difficult situation of the Canton of Ticino and supports it in its fight against the spread of the coronavirus. © Repubblica e Cantone Ticino
4 / 8
Federal Councillor Cassis is sitting at a desk, dossiers are on the table in front of him. In the background you can see the two suitcases with the respirators.
Federal Councillor Cassis answers questions from media representatives at the media conference. © Repubblica e Cantone Ticino
5 / 8
Federal Councillor Cassis stands in the control room of the cantonal emergency centre and looks at screens on the wall.
During his visit to the cantonal emergency centre in Giubiasco, Federal Councillor Cassis was "very impressed by the commitment and dedication of those who fight daily to protect the population". © Repubblica e Cantone Ticino
6 / 8
Federal Councillor Cassis sits at a long meeting table with members of the cantonal emergency centre and discusses with them.
In the meeting room of the cantonal emergency centre in Giubiasco, Federal Councillor Cassis discusses measures to slow down the spread of the coronavirus. © Repubblica e Cantone Ticino
7 / 8
Christian Rathgeb, President of the Grisons cantonal government, sits opposite Federal Councillor Cassis.
Federal Councillor Cassis discusses with the delegations of the governments of the cantons of Graubünden and Ticino. The picture shows Christian Rathgeb, the President of government of Grisons. © Repubblica e Cantone Ticino
8 / 8
In the Bellinzona Chamber of Parliament, Federal Councillor Cassis holds discussions with the delegations of the governments of the Cantons of Grisons and Ticino. State Secretary Balzaretti sits to the right of Federal Councillor Cassis.
Federal Councillor Cassis discusses measures to combat the coronavirus with the delegations of the governments of the Canton of Grisons and the Canton of Ticino in Bellinzona. © Repubblica e Cantone Ticino

17.03.2020 – 18.00

Support for Swiss nationals abroad: Federal Councillor Cassis discusses the activities in connection with COVID-19 at the Crisis Management Centre

FDFA COVID-19
Back to the news overview
Start of page
Swiss representations abroad
Federal Administration online
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA