Snowjet starts UK’s only direct flights to Sion

Thursday 24th December, 2009

Sion Airport welcomed its first service direct from London Stansted this weekend when Snowjet commenced twice weekly flights to the Swiss Alps on Saturday. A total of 75 passengers boarded the Bae146-200 aircraft for the inaugural flight.

David Lacy, Snowjet’s Managing Director said: “Our Sion flights operated exactly to schedule, despite challenging weather conditions across the UK and Europe this weekend. Marcel Maurer, Mayor of Sion, greeted the first flight on Saturday and expressed his delight at having direct services from London, which will benefit Swiss travellers as well as British winter-sports enthusiasts.

“Flying direct to Sion, in the popular Swiss Valais Region, is the fastest route to some of Switzerland’s top ski resorts, including Zermatt, Verbier, Saas Fee, Crans Montana, Nendaz and Veysonnaz. Verbier, for example, is just 35 to 40 minutes away from Sion, compared with two and a half hours from Geneva.”

Snowjet’s Sion flights are the only scheduled services from the UK to this exclusive and efficient Alpine airport. As well as being the closest airport to some of Switzerland’s finest ski resorts, Sion has the added benefit of handling a low volume of passengers, meaning skiers don’t have a long wait at baggage reclaim or at check-in, enabling them to spend longer on the slopes. The airline also secured very civilised flight times, ensuring passengers can enjoy their winter break to the full.

The Bae146-200 utilised on the route is configured with just 80-seats with a seat pitch of 32 inches, providing passengers with extra leg room and comfort. The flights (number ZT 6411/2) operate twice-weekly, every Saturday and Sunday, through to 18 April 2010, departing London Stansted at 1000, arriving Sion at 1300. From Sion, departures are at 1400, arriving London Stansted at 1500 (local times).

Flights to Sion airport complement Snowjet’s established routes with flights to Chambery from London Gatwick, London Stansted, Manchester, Bristol and Birmingham. Snowjet’s flights to Chambery are popular with skiers travelling to Meribel, Val d’Isere, Tignes, Courchevel, Val Thorens, Les Arcs and La Plagne as they offer significant time savings on transfers to these resorts and others in the region, compared with flying to any other ski airport. Snowjet’s new Gatwick-Geneva service, which also commenced on Saturday, provides a gateway to further 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.

- Ends -

Picture Credit: Eryl Crump for Emerald Media

Picture Caption: (left to right) David Lacy - Snowjet’s Managing Director, Marcel Maurer - Mayor of Sion, Bernard Karrer - Sion Airport Director

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.