Business Jets at Sion Airport

Words and Photographs by Julien Ritz

LSGS. First place in the top-ten most impressive approches in the world... « Nestled in the heart of the Alps, the approach to Sion airport takes you down the Rhone valley. With the high mountain terrain to negotiate, your airline or private jet pilot will be radar vectored by Swiss military air traffic control to the initial approach point, after which the navigation is simple: fly straight down the valley with the cliffs above you, circle the town, and avoid the hospital for a perfect touchdown at Europe's most stunning airport. »

Source : Private Fly.com

ADVANTAGES. Sion airport is well placed in the Alps giving the opportunity to reach the most highlighted ski resorts in Switzerland, France or Italy. Zermatt, Verbier, Crans Montana, Gstaad or St.Moritz are a few minutes away by helicopter. Well known places like Courchevelle or Morzine in France can be reached in only 15 to 45 minutes as well.

By choosing Sion airport, business jet companies and travellers can avoid congested airports, waste of time and so be on schedule to enjoy their stay to the maximum. At this time companies have the possibility to park their plane on the tarmac or can benefits of hangaring.

FUTURE. Business jets trafic rises by 20 percent per year at Sion Airport. Others European airports beginn to be saturated or already are. Sion is a good alternative but has to provide the means to meet growing demand. The airport must enrich its facilities by building new hangars and maintenance workshop wich are in high demand.

Grély Promotion SA plans to build a complex of 10 hangars that will be able to accomodate aircrafts such as BBJ and 318. Building work will start early 2012.