Travel rules: new USI regulations on flights

Starting 16 February 2026, new regulations on air travel adopted by the USI Rector's Office will come into force. They will define criteria and procedures for air travel for academic and professional purposes.

The new provisions apply to all air travel financed, reimbursed or invoiced by USI. These changes aim to encourage more sustainable travel options in alignment with the University's commitment to reducing its environmental impact. Until now, USI was the only Swiss university that had not implemented regulations regarding this issue.

Principle:

At USI, emissions related to academic and professional travel account for a large share of the University's total emissions (1602.8 t CO2 RFI2.7 in 2023). One effective way to reduce our carbon footprint is to limit the number of flights we take or to substitute them with more environmentally friendly modes of transport. This policy also seeks to reinforce our collective commitment to sustainability, aligning with the initiatives already implemented by other Swiss universities.

The provisions apply equally to all individuals, consistent with the concept of shared effort toward a common goal. They are the first step in a change that will occur over the coming years, and further measures will be discussed and implemented.

Key elements include:

• the requirement to use public land transport (ideally the train) for destinations within 8 hours' travel time;
• the definition of authorised flight classes (Economy, Economy Plus or Business) based on flight duration and personal funds available; a rule that is not based purely on economic considerations: Business and Economy Plus have a higher carbon footprint, as they require more space per passenger and therefore reduce the overall capacity of the aircraft, increasing per capita emissions;
• the recommendation to favour direct flights and CO₂-efficient routes, where possible;
• the possibility of justified exceptions, for example, for health reasons or proven personal needs.

For easy reference, the following documents are available for train departures from or arrivals in Lugano and Mendrisio, and for flights to Milan or Zurich:

• List of destinations reachable within 8 hours by train from or to Lugano or Mendrisio, accompanied by a map of destinations reachable by train (within 8 hours)
• Map of authorised flight classes

The regulations apply to flights booked from 16 February 2026 onwards.

Attached:

• Complete document on flight regulations (PDF)
• List of destinations that must be reached by train
• Map of destinations that can be reached by train
• Map of authorised flight classes