Helvetic
Last winter they took a break in November and then flew just 2 x weekly for the remainder of the winter. This summer has seen noticeably improved load factors, albeit it's 3 x weekly as against 4 x weekly in summer 2013. The monthly average loads (vide CAA stats) have been around the 60 mark with 65 the best in July.
Perhaps the main problem is that BRS is so well served by easyJet to Geneva. In 2013 BRS was again the busiest UK non-London route to/from GVA in terms of passengers with over 181,000, mainly easyJet but with some ski charters.
GVA, like ZRH, with an airport rail station serving most of the country is an extremely convenient way in to Switzerland. easyJet's multi frequencies and generally lower fares than Helvetic, not to mention its much stronger brand awareness in the BRS catchment, are always going to make it a formidable competitor.
Furthermore, I notice that easyJet has increased its GVA schedule this winter compared with last. It now offers up to 21 weekly rotations in the ski season, including five on Saturdays and four on Sundays, which is an increase of two per week.
It is a shame about Helvetic taking a complete break this winter but entirely understandable. It seems to recognise that its BRS market to/from ZRH is purely a summer one.
Would anyone else take a punt? It seems unlikely especially as Helvetic says it's coming back next spring and easyJet would still be putting that big orange shadow over the West Country to Switzerland. The only airline that might be interested would probably be bmi regional but I would suspect that's a long shot.