Swiss World Airways was founded in 1997 by Jean-Charles Simon.[1] The airline placed a $203m order for two Boeing 767-300 aircraft in 1997.[2] Led by CEO Peter Leishman, formerly of Easyjet and Debonair, the airline leased a Boeing 767-200ER from Ansett Australia for two years, whilst orders were made for Boeing 737-700 aircraft to provide a smaller aircraft higher yield return for the airline. The first Swiss World Airways flight took off on September 10, 1998, from Geneva. However, the airline's major marketing campaign was cancelled as it was a matter of days since the Swissair Flight 111 accident.[3][4] Later that month, Swiss World Airways joined Airlines Reporting Corporation.[5] Swiss World Airways leased a Boeing 757 from Air Holland, however the aircraft had range challenges for the flights planned.[6]
Originally observed as a competitor to Swissair, on December 2, 1998, just three months after the inaugural flight, Swiss World Airways suspended flight operations.[7] In the following days, the airline sought funding to continue operating. A consortium led by Saudi Arabian businessman Hani Yamani came close to acquiring the airline and entering into a partnership with Virgin Atlantic.[8] However by early 1999 hopes of reviving Swiss World Airways had vanished.[9]
