Swiss is temporarily carrying additional fuel on flights from Zurich and Geneva to Frankfurt, using fuel loaded in Switzerland for the return sectors. The precautionary tankering applies to the Zurich–Frankfurt–Zurich and Geneva–Frankfurt–Geneva rotations and is intended to reduce refuelling requirements at Frankfurt without affecting passenger or cargo capacity.
The airline attributes the measure to constrained fuel supplies at Frankfurt. Persistently low water levels on the Rhine have restricted tanker deliveries to the Main fuel terminal, while routine maintenance is affecting pipeline supply to the airport. Fraport maintains that alternative supply routes and substantial storage capacity will protect airport operations from disruption.
The short Frankfurt sectors make the additional fuel weight operationally feasible, allowing Swiss aircraft to retain their normal commercial loads. The measure had begun to produce results and could be withdrawn in the foreseeable future, although no end date or additional fuel quantity has been disclosed.
Separately, Switzerland has authorised the temporary release of up to 30,000 cubic metres of mandatory jet-fuel reserves for Zurich Airport from 15 October through 1 November. The volume represents about 6.5% of the available reserve and is intended to cover delayed or disrupted deliveries, particularly rail shipments from Germany. That action is separate from Swiss’s Frankfurt tankering operation.