14 July 2009

New Swiss ski air route unveiled

Stansted is to gain a scheduled service to Sion airport in the Swiss Valais region for the winter ski season.

Ski specialist Snowjet claims the flights will be the only scheduled service from the UK to the Alpine airport, giving access to Zermatt, Verbier, Saas Fee, Crans Montana, Nendaz and Veysonnaz.

The twice weekly flights will be operated by 80-seat Titan Airways’ BAe 146-200 aircraft.

The flights will run every Saturday and Sunday from December 19 to April 18, departing Stansted at 10.00, arriving Sion at 13.00.

From Sion, departures are at 14.00, arriving Stansted at 15.00 (local time).

The flights lead in at £49 one way, including taxes and a 20kg baggage allowance.

The new route complements Snowjet’s established routes between Gatwick, Stansted, Bristol and Manchester and Chambery in the French Alps.

Snowjet managing director David Lacy said: "Passengers will benefit from terrific time-saving advantages by flying direct to Sion.

"Verbier, for example, is just 35 to 40 minutes away from Sion, compared with two and a half hours from Geneva.

"In addition, Sion handles a low volume of passengers, which means skiers won’t have a long wait at baggage reclaim or at check-in, enabling them to spend longer on the slopes.

"We are also delighted to have secured very civilised flight times, ensuring our passengers can enjoy their winter break to the full."

by Phil Davies