Swiss carrier Helvetic Airways is to suspend flights to Cardiff this winter blaming a slump in passenger numbers.
The airline ran three flights a week to Zurich via Bristol last winter but will drop the extension to the Welsh airport.
Cardiff airport said discussions were continuing about restarting the route next summer.
Direct flights to Zurich from Cardiff started in March 2011, but a stopover in Bristol was added last December because of too few tickets being sold in Wales.
Cardiff airport said the airline’s move to suspend winter flights was a commercial decision based upon results last year.
“Whilst it is disappointing we are working to ensure their return for summer 2013 and are confident that this can be achieved,” a spokesman told the BBC.
“Their operation has brought many Swiss tourists to Wales and this is, we believe, an opportunity which can be built upon.”