M E E T T H E M A N A G E R
BUSINESS AIRPORT INTERNATIONAL LEARNS
MORE ABOUT SION AIRPORT FROM ITS DIRECTOR
Why would a flyer prefer to use Sion airport as
opposed to Geneva Airport?
Sion Airport offers many significant advantages to business
travelers. Geneva Airport operates almost at capacity –
currently there are no flight slots available and business jet
traffic has saturated the airport. Consequently, passengers
departing on private, charter or scheduled flights must
allow much more time to clear security at the airport, in
addition to time spent in the departure lounge, at the gate
and taxiing to the runway. For many travelers, this has
become frustrating and unacceptable.
At Sion Airport we offer our outbound passengers the
opportunity to save time on their journey. Parking and
vehicle drop-off areas are immediately outside the airport.
Check-in desks and passport control are located in the
main terminal, just a short distance from an aircraft waiting
on the apron.
Departing passengers spend minimal time in the
terminal and the short taxi distance means they’re airborne
very quickly.
What facilities and services are you able to
offer that your competitors cannot?
It’s often assumed that a smaller airport such
as Sion lacks the facilities of a large airport. On
the contrary, we’re able to offer our size as an
advantage to passengers.
We’re small and flexible, which enables us
to be entirely service-orientated and offer a
highly personalized experience to travelers. This
is evident in the loyalty of our business aviation
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customers, many of whom have used Sion Airport and our
facilities for many years.
In what ways has the airport adapted to the
ever-increasing demand of flying as a mode
of transport?
Business aviation has been our development focus in
recent years. The Valais region is home to many of the
best mountain resorts in Europe, all of which are popular
with wealthy property owners and travelers. This has fueled
demand for private jet facilities and we’ve responded to
this with dedicated hangars and tarmac for private and
business aviation. Additionally, we’ve created a customs
and immigration facility that offers our passengers
maximum privacy as they arrive and depart.
How important is business aviation to Sion
Airport?
Business aviation continues to be our top
priority and we’re looking forward to building
relationships with new partners in the future.
How do you plan to expand the airport in
the next five years?
Our focus is to take advantage of the airport’s
location. The appetite for activity holidays is
growing across Europe, particularly in the UK. Sion
Airport offers very short transfer times to some of
the best winter and summer mountain destinations
in Europe. During winter Sion Airport is connected to
London Heathrow and London City via SWISS airline.
What are clients looking for when choosing
an FBO?
Time is the most important commodity our passengers
have and flying to and from Sion Airport offers massive
time savings.
Our inbound leisure passengers can be on the ski
slopes of Verbier less than one hour after landing. Our
business travelers are just 45 to 60 minutes from the
headquarters of various multinational organizations
based in Montreux, Vevey and Lausanne.
Our private jet clients enjoy hangar facilities and
VIP handling. All of these conveniences create the
efficient, personal and friendly service that Sion Airport
is renowned for.
Aline Bovier
“We’re small and
flexible, which enables
us to be entirely
service-orientated
and offer a highly
personalized experience
to travelers”