Zurich/Bogotá – 25 November 2025
Edelweiss Air’s brand‑new flagship, the Airbus A350‑900 “Piz Bernina” (registration HB‑IHF), is stuck on the ground in Bogotá after a collision with ground equipment – just months after entering service as Switzerland’s first A350. The incident is forcing the Swiss leisure airline to adjust parts of its long‑haul schedule at the start of the busy winter season. [1]
- Aircraft: Airbus A350‑900, HB‑IHF “Piz Bernina”, Edelweiss’ first A350 and the first A350 registered in Switzerland. [2]
- Where: Bogotá’s El Dorado International Airport (BOG), Colombia.
- When: Ground collision on Wednesday, 19 November 2025, after arrival from Zurich. [3]
- What happened: A baggage cart hit the parked long‑haul jet on the apron, damaging part of the engine cowling. [4]
- Injuries: None reported; passengers disembarked normally. [5]
- Operational impact: Return sector via Cartagena to Zurich was cancelled; the aircraft remains grounded in Bogotá while repairs and safety checks are completed. [6]
- Fleet impact: Edelweiss currently operates just three A350s, with a fourth on order, so the loss of one aircraft reduces long‑haul flexibility and triggers “selective schedule adjustments”. [7]
As of Tuesday, 25 November 2025, the A350 is still out of service in Bogotá and no precise return‑to‑service date has been communicated.
What happened in Bogotá?
On 19 November, Edelweiss flight WK92 from Zurich to Bogotá landed at El Dorado after a roughly 11‑hour journey operated by A350‑900 HB‑IHF. Flight‑tracking data show the aircraft completing the ZRH–BOG leg, while the subsequent scheduled sectors Bogotá–Cartagena and Cartagena–Zurich on 20 November never departed, indicating a disruption after arrival in Colombia. [8]
Swiss aviation outlet aeroTELEGRAPH reports that while the aircraft was parked on the apron, an airport baggage cart struck the A350, damaging it enough that further flight operations were no longer possible. Edelweiss confirmed to the publication that the collision occurred on Wednesday and involved ground handling equipment. [9]
A Swiss press round‑up service summarising coverage in Der Bund, Basler Zeitung and Berner Zeitung describes the same scenario: an Edelweiss A350 collided with a baggage vehicle in Bogotá and now has to be repaired before it can return to the air. [10]
Travel industry site Travelnews also highlights that the airline’s new A350 “Piz Bernina” cannot currently take off after its collision with a baggage cart in Bogotá and must remain on the ground for the time being. [11]
No injuries, but flight to Zurich cancelled
According to Edelweiss’ statement to aeroTELEGRAPH, passengers were able to leave the aircraft normally. The airline rebooked travellers onto alternative connections and stressed that there was no danger to passengers or crew at any time, even though the planned return flight to Zurich had to be cancelled. [12]
The airline has not issued a standalone public press release about the incident on its media page; instead, its comments so far have been provided directly to specialist and travel‑trade media. [13]
Technical damage: Engine cowling replacement and safety checks
The visible damage is focused on parts of the engine cowling (engine nacelle covering). Edelweiss told aeroTELEGRAPH that these components have to be replaced before the aircraft can undergo the required safety and airworthiness checks. Only once these technical inspections are completed will the jet be allowed to fly back to Zurich. [14]
The airline expects the repair work and subsequent checks to take several days, meaning the A350 will remain parked in Bogotá for the short term. [15]
Given that the collision occurred with the aircraft on stand and not during taxi, take‑off or landing, the case falls into the category of a ground‑handling incident rather than an in‑flight safety emergency. Investigations into how the baggage cart came to hit the aircraft will typically involve both the airport’s ground‑operations management and the airline’s own safety department, as well as the relevant Colombian authorities. No detailed findings have been made public so far.
Why this A350 matters so much to Edelweiss
HB‑IHF “Piz Bernina” isn’t just any wide‑body. It marks a significant milestone in Swiss aviation:
- It is Edelweiss’ first Airbus A350‑900 and the first A350 ever registered in Switzerland. [16]
- The aircraft is named after Piz Bernina, a 4,048‑metre peak in the canton of Graubünden and the only 4,000‑metre summit in the Eastern Alps – a nod to the airline’s tradition of naming aircraft after Swiss mountains. [17]
- It is one of up to six A350s that Edelweiss plans to operate, replacing its aging four‑engined A340‑300 fleet. [18]
Model manufacturer Herpa, which sells detailed replicas of the jet, summarises Edelweiss’ own positioning: the A350s are a cornerstone of a long‑haul fleet modernisation that offers a quieter cabin, more passenger comfort and around 25% lower fuel burn and CO₂ emissions compared with the A340s they replace. [19]
From water‑salute to winter workhorse
The aircraft’s entry into Switzerland earlier this year was celebrated in style. On 13 March 2025, HB‑IHF landed in Zurich from Lourdes, receiving a traditional water‑salute and a public welcome in front of the airport’s observation deck. [20]
After a short phase on European routes such as Tenerife and other holiday destinations used for crew training, the A350 moved onto long‑haul duties from May, starting with Las Vegas and later Vancouver. [21]
For the winter 2025/26 timetable, Edelweiss planned to assign its A350s – including HB‑IHF – to a network of sun and adventure destinations from Zurich, including: [22]
- Bogotá / Cartagena (Colombia)
- Cancun
- Cape Town
- Kilimanjaro / Zanzibar
- Muscat / Salalah
- Puerto Plata / Montego Bay
- Punta Cana
- San José / Liberia (Costa Rica)
- Tampa (USA)
The grounding of “Piz Bernina” therefore hits the airline at a time when demand for long‑haul holiday travel is high and the new type is central to its schedule.
Fleet and schedule impact: Fewer A350s, less flexibility
According to industry coverage, Edelweiss currently has three Airbus A350‑900s in commercial service – including HB‑IHF – all acquired second‑hand from LATAM and scheduled for a cabin retrofit in the coming years. A fourth A350 is on order, and the airline ultimately plans to operate six. [23]
With only a small sub‑fleet of A350s available, losing one aircraft, even temporarily, significantly reduces operational flexibility. Edelweiss told aeroTELEGRAPH it expects “selective adjustments to the flight schedule” while HB‑IHF is out of action. In practice, that can mean: [24]
- Substituting other wide‑bodies (such as remaining A340‑300s) on routes originally planned for the A350, where possible.
- Slightly reducing frequencies on some long‑haul leisure routes.
- Swapping aircraft types between destinations at short notice to keep overall capacity stable.
The airline has not yet published a detailed list of changes, and with schedules often updated dynamically, travellers are advised to keep a close eye on their bookings in the coming days.
What this means for passengers
Disrupted flights on the Zurich–Colombia route
The immediate operational impact was felt on the Zurich–Bogotá–Cartagena–Zurich rotation around 19–20 November:
- Flight‑tracking data show WK92 operating Zurich–Bogotá on 19 November with HB‑IHF. [25]
- The Bogotá–Cartagena–Zurich legs scheduled for 20 November appear in the system with scheduled departure times but no actual departure, consistent with cancellation after the ground incident. [26]
Edelweiss states that affected passengers were rebooked onto other connections. In general, travellers in such cases can expect:
- Rebooking to the next available Edelweiss or partner‑airline flight to their destination.
- Refunds if their flight is cancelled and they choose not to travel.
Whether compensation under EU/Swiss air‑passenger rules applies depends on the detailed legal classification of the incident (for example, whether it’s deemed an “extraordinary circumstance”). The airline has not commented publicly on this point. Passengers should check directly with Edelweiss and, if needed, consult the relevant passenger‑rights regulations in their jurisdiction.
If you’re booked on an Edelweiss A350 in the coming days
As of 25 November 2025, there is no public confirmation that HB‑IHF has completed repairs or left Bogotá, and the airline continues to warn of isolated timetable changes. [27]
If your upcoming itinerary shows an Edelweiss A350‑900 (type code A359), especially on:
- Bogotá / Cartagena
- Cancun
- Cape Town
- Tanzania (Kilimanjaro/Zanzibar)
- Costa Rica or Tampa
it is wise to:
- Check your booking daily in the Edelweiss app or on the airline’s website.
- Enable notifications for schedule changes.
- Allow extra connection time if you are on separate tickets, in case of retimings or aircraft swaps.
A setback for a showpiece aircraft – but not a safety alarm
From a safety perspective, the incident is serious in terms of damage but comparatively contained:
- The collision occurred on the ground, not during a critical flight phase.
- The airline emphasises that no passengers or crew were endangered and that everyone left the aircraft normally. [28]
- The damage appears limited mainly to the engine cowling, not the core structure or systems of the aircraft, though only detailed inspections can confirm this fully. [29]
For Edelweiss, however, the timing is unfortunate. The A350 programme has been central to its 2025 story: the airline has celebrated the aircraft’s arrival, its first commercial flights and even held mountain‑top events in Graubünden to highlight that its A350s “Piz Bernina” and “Piz Palü” bear the names of iconic Engadin peaks. [30]
Now its very first A350 is unexpectedly parked far from home, waiting for new parts and engineer sign‑offs in Bogotá rather than welcoming winter sun‑seekers on board in Zurich.
What we know – and what we don’t – on 25 November 2025
Known:
- HB‑IHF “Piz Bernina” is grounded in Bogotá after a collision with a baggage cart on 19 November. [31]
- The aircraft suffered damage to engine‑cowling components that must be replaced before mandated safety checks. [32]
- The return flight to Zurich via Cartagena was cancelled, and passengers were rebooked. [33]
- Edelweiss currently operates three A350s and expects schedule tweaks due to the loss of one aircraft. [34]
Not yet publicly clarified:
- A detailed root‑cause analysis of how the ground vehicle came to hit the aircraft.
- The exact cost and duration of repairs.
- The precise date on which HB‑IHF will ferry back to Zurich and return to passenger service.
Until those questions are answered, Edelweiss’ youngest and most modern long‑haul aircraft will remain an involuntary long‑term guest at Bogotá’s El Dorado Airport – an unusual pause in what was meant to be a smooth transition into the airline’s A350‑powered future.
References
1. www.aerotelegraph.com, 2. abouttravel.ch, 3. www.aerotelegraph.com, 4. www.aerotelegraph.com, 5. www.aerotelegraph.com, 6. www.aerotelegraph.com, 7. www.aerotelegraph.com, 8. www.flightradar24.com, 9. www.aerotelegraph.com, 10. www.zeitung.ch, 11. www.travelnews.ch, 12. www.aerotelegraph.com, 13. www.flyedelweiss.com, 14. www.aerotelegraph.com, 15. www.aerotelegraph.com, 16. abouttravel.ch, 17. archiv.herpa.de, 18. archiv.herpa.de, 19. archiv.herpa.de, 20. abouttravel.ch, 21. www.flyedelweiss.com, 22. www.airportspotting.com, 23. abouttravel.ch, 24. www.aerotelegraph.com, 25. www.flightradar24.com, 26. www.flightradar24.com, 27. www.aerotelegraph.com, 28. www.aerotelegraph.com, 29. www.aerotelegraph.com, 30. www.flyedelweiss.com, 31. www.aerotelegraph.com, 32. www.aerotelegraph.com, 33. www.aerotelegraph.com, 34. www.aerotelegraph.com
