Welsh welcome for Swiss high flyers
Published: 08 February 2011
The Deputy First Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones will today host the Swiss Ambassador and representatives from Cardiff Airport and Swiss airline Helvetic Airways, who are in Wales to officially launch a new air route from Cardiff to Zurich.
Mr Jones, who is also the Minister for Economy and Transport, will welcome Helvetic Airways’ CEO Bruno Jans, as well as Anton Thalmann, the Ambassador of Switzerland to the UK, at the Pierhead Building in Cardiff Bay for a reception commemorating this new service, as well recognising the unique relationship between the two nations.
Mr Jones said, "I am extremely pleased to welcome his Excellency, the Ambassador, as well as friends from Helvetic who will soon be providing a new and exciting service from Zurich to Cardiff Airport. I also look forward to welcoming the many new tourists and businesses to our shores each year.
“Wales is an attractive place to do business and we are more than committed to help businesses to flourish here. We have worked hard in recent years to create a strong bond between our two nations and with many Swiss companies already established here, today’s coming together can surely only enhance our relationship further.”
Bruno Jans, CEO of Helvetic Airways AG, said, “We are proud to announce the direct air link between Zurich to Cardiff. We hope this will allow the Swiss holidaymaker to discover Wales and to offer a convenient connection for Welsh and Swiss business travellers.
“We are looking forward to welcoming Welsh customers to show them the high Swiss standard, comfort and quality of the service on board of our aircraft”
H.E. Mr Anton Thalmann, Ambassador of Switzerland in the United Kingdom, said, “I am very pleased to be here today to celebrate a further strengthening of the ties between Switzerland and Wales. The new direct connection between Cardiff and Zurich will no doubt deepen the commercial, cultural and social exchange between Swiss and Welsh citizens and I wish Helvetic Airways every success in this new endeavour.”
Patrick Duffy, managing director of Cardiff Airport, said, “We are extremely pleased to be welcoming Helvetic representatives to Wales for this event, and are looking forward for the start of the route.
“The new route will offer customers a quick and convenient way to access one of Europe’s most attractive destinations, and research conducted by the airport and the airline demonstrated that Zurich is one of the most sought after business destinations from Wales.
We’re hoping the new route will be a success with outbound Welsh travellers, as well as with inbound Swiss passengers visiting the country for leisure or business purposes.”
From March this year, passengers will be able to fly direct from Cardiff to Zurich four days a week. Flights will operate from Cardiff on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays.
The route will use the 100 seat Fokker aircraft and it will be the first time during the airport’s history that it has operated a direct route to Zurich. It will be a unique service to attract travellers to and from Wales as well as south western England.
Zurich is far more than a banking capital, and is a top class holiday destination with fantastic links to the Alps and lakes of northern Italy.
Helvetic Airways will offer flights from £99 one way, including all taxes and charges for a limited period.
Tickets can purchased online at www.helvetic.com.