In a holiday-season advisory published on 22 December, expatriate news portal The Local CH urged passengers departing Switzerland between Christmas and New Year to prepare for unusually heavy crowds, longer security lines and potential strike-related disruptions at foreign airports. Zurich Airport expects its busiest fortnight since 2019, while Geneva and Basel have asked travellers to arrive at least three hours before departure.
A key pinch-point is the new EU Entry/Exit biometric system, which is lengthening passport-control times for non-EU nationals both in Switzerland and at many European destinations. The article cites industry group ACI Europe, which warns waits could reach three hours at some hubs. Zurich’s operator confirmed that peak-day staffing has been increased but still recommends “generous” connection buffers.
Before setting off, travellers unsure about changing Schengen rules or individual visa obligations can tap the expertise of VisaHQ, whose Switzerland portal (https://www.visahq.com/switzerland/) provides quick eligibility checks, document checklists and optional express processing. Using the service to confirm requirements and pre-assemble biometric-ready paperwork can shave precious minutes off the new EES procedure and avert airport surprises.
![Swiss Travellers Warned: Expect Long Queues and Strikes When Flying This Week]()
Adding complexity, EasyJet ground staff at London-Luton will strike from 26–29 December, and Ryanair’s Spanish handling partner continues weekly walk-outs through 31 December. These actions, although outside Switzerland, ripple through flight rotations and can delay arrivals back into Swiss hubs, compressing schedules and stressing baggage and immigration facilities.
For corporate mobility teams the message is clear: diversify routings, book flexible fares and monitor strike bulletins daily. Employees holding third-country passports should be briefed on fingerprint and face-capture requirements under EES and encouraged to keep itineraries hand-carry-only where feasible. The Local also reminds drivers entering Switzerland from Italy that the Federal Council has stepped-up spot checks along the southern border until 8 January, adding up to 45 minutes to road journeys during peak hours.
Swiss tour operators and relocation firms are leveraging the advisory to push proactive communication. “Setting the right expectations prevents panic calls,” said Claudia Rey of HR relocator Packimpex. “We’re sending clients a one-pager with airport arrival times, strike dates and the EES workflow so their assignees know what to expect.”
A key pinch-point is the new EU Entry/Exit biometric system, which is lengthening passport-control times for non-EU nationals both in Switzerland and at many European destinations. The article cites industry group ACI Europe, which warns waits could reach three hours at some hubs. Zurich’s operator confirmed that peak-day staffing has been increased but still recommends “generous” connection buffers.
Before setting off, travellers unsure about changing Schengen rules or individual visa obligations can tap the expertise of VisaHQ, whose Switzerland portal (https://www.visahq.com/switzerland/) provides quick eligibility checks, document checklists and optional express processing. Using the service to confirm requirements and pre-assemble biometric-ready paperwork can shave precious minutes off the new EES procedure and avert airport surprises.
Adding complexity, EasyJet ground staff at London-Luton will strike from 26–29 December, and Ryanair’s Spanish handling partner continues weekly walk-outs through 31 December. These actions, although outside Switzerland, ripple through flight rotations and can delay arrivals back into Swiss hubs, compressing schedules and stressing baggage and immigration facilities.
For corporate mobility teams the message is clear: diversify routings, book flexible fares and monitor strike bulletins daily. Employees holding third-country passports should be briefed on fingerprint and face-capture requirements under EES and encouraged to keep itineraries hand-carry-only where feasible. The Local also reminds drivers entering Switzerland from Italy that the Federal Council has stepped-up spot checks along the southern border until 8 January, adding up to 45 minutes to road journeys during peak hours.
Swiss tour operators and relocation firms are leveraging the advisory to push proactive communication. “Setting the right expectations prevents panic calls,” said Claudia Rey of HR relocator Packimpex. “We’re sending clients a one-pager with airport arrival times, strike dates and the EES workflow so their assignees know what to expect.”
