Snowjet bucks the trend with 19% sales increase

Wednesday 13th January, 2010

Snowjet attributes its 19% year-on-year sales increase to offering niche Chambery and Sion services to the thriving independent ski market, bucking the trend of leisure travellers forgoing their usual winter break.

“There is a flourishing independent winter sports market comprising boutique chalets and hotels, that are still doing well despite recent reports citing a downturn across the market,” said Snowjet Managing Director, David Lacy. “There is also a substantial group of skiers who own their own property – these people are still enjoying their winter breaks this season.”

According to a recent poll by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, fears of a prolonged recession have led to people forgoing their usual winter break in favour of the annual summer holiday.

“This may well be the case and therefore the larger tour operators, catering to the mass market, could be experiencing the negative effects of the downturn,” continued David Lacy, “However, our sales increase is testimony that winter sports enthusiasts who prefer to arrange their holiday independently or through smaller specialist chalet operators, are still looking to travel this year. We have had strong bookings for January and we’ve added extra departures for February half-term and Easter to meet demand.”

Snowjet operates a twice-weekly, direct service between London Stansted and Sion, in the popular Swiss Valais Region. Snowjet’s Sion flights are the only scheduled services from the UK to this exclusive and efficient Alpine airport. Flying direct to Sion is the fastest route to some of Switzerland’s top ski resorts, including Zermatt, Verbier, Saas Fee, Crans Montana, Nendaz and Veysonnaz.

Snowjet’s established Chambery flights from Gatwick, Stansted, Bristol and Manchester provide easy access to some of France’s finest ski resorts including Meribel, Val d’Isere and Courchevel, while the Gatwick-Geneva service provides a gateway to further alpine resorts including Chamonix, Morzine and Avoriaz.

All Snowjet flights are available to book online at www.snowjet.co.uk, with a lead in fare of just £29 one way, including all taxes and a free 20kg baggage allowance. Ski-carriage is just £14.99 one way.

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Editor’s Notes:

Snowjet is part of Satellite Travel Group, wholly owned by Titan Airways, the UK’s leading VIP charter airline.

Titan Airways is an established player in the European charter market, providing a bespoke charter tailored to each client’s demands, catering for individuals or groups from 1 to 204 passengers. Founded by Managing Director Gene Willson in 1988, the airline has grown from a small air taxi operator to one of the most prestigious charter airlines in Europe, employing more than 200 personnel operating 24/7, 365 days a year.

Underlining the airline’s continued growth, last winter Titan operated its busiest ski charter season ever, with Boeing 737 and Boeing 757 aircraft flying to Chambery every weekend on behalf of Crystal Ski, Ski World, Ski Beat, Satellite Travel and Snowjet from Gatwick, Stansted and Birmingham.

Titan’s expanding fleet currently comprises 11 aircraft: four Boeing 737-300s including the new 50-seat all Business Class version; four BAe 146-200s; two Boeing 757-200s and a Beech King Air 350. Several of the aircraft are QC (quick change) enabling utilisation for either passenger or freight transportation. In December the fleet will be joined by a Boeing 767-300ER.

Many leading airlines – legacy carriers and regional airlines - call on Titan to provide instant operational solutions. The airline’s reputation is built on its unique ‘Go Now’ policy, which guarantees that an aircraft can be airborne within 60 minutes of flight confirmation. Titan earned a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2001 for its rapid response services and pioneering use of quick change variants of aircraft. Titan is a worldwide AOC holder for both freight and passenger charters.
Titan Airways employs approximately 220 personnel based mainly at London Stansted.
Titan’s customers include cruise lines, pop groups, blue chip organisations, finance houses, major car companies and tour operators.

Please contact: Snowjet on +44 20 8652 1222 email info@snowjet.co.uk