According to Travelmole, Helvectic will launch 4 weekly CWL-ZRH from March 2011

Do you have a source/link for this Bombardier?

Travelmole

Zurich, not a chance of this one being successfull.

Regards

Mike

Cwl - Zrh
 

Aeulad -could oyu not have been any more optimistic? Give it a chance, the tickets have not even gone on sale yet. They are also to serve Inverness.

Helvetic
 

Noticed Inverness on their map on the homepage but as yet no Cardiff.

Will this be a Swiss code-share or just a stand-alone service?

I suppose time will tell but this one seems totally out of the blue.

Pete

Helvetic Airways has 6 x Fokker 100. Four of the Six are operating on behalf of Swiss International Airlines.

I would imagine that the route would be operated for Helvetic Airways rather than Swiss International Airlines however i would prefer the later offering onward connections.

This doesn't say that Helvetic could not offer a codeshare allowing onward connections at ZRH.

The Inverness route is displayed on the route map however not bookable and the Cardiff in not showing or bookable so lets keep our fingures crossed.

Allthough there is a quote from Cardiff Airport there is nothing on the website.

Definatley seems like its happening. New item from whycardiff.com

Cardiff Airport welcomes new airline

Back to news list

Cardiff Airport has today announced that Swiss airline Helvetic Airways will be launching a new route from Cardiff to Zurich.



From March 2011 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.

Patrick Duffy, managing director of Cardiff Airport, said: “We are extremely pleased to be welcoming Helvetic to Cardiff Airport.

“The new route will offer our customers a quick and convenient way to access one of Europe’s most attractive destinations and we are hoping it will be welcomed by our customers and in particular the business community here in Wales.

“Research conducted by the airport demonstrated that Zurich is one of the most sought after business destinations from Wales, and therefore after months of hard work we’re delighted Helvetic Airways has decided to offer this route to south Wales travellers.

“Not only is Zurich one of Europe’s largest financial capitals it is also a fantastic leisure destination. This route opens up a wide range of new holiday destinations for our customers, whether it’s for a city, walking or skiing break.”

Helvetic Airways CEO Bruno Jans added: “We are proud to announce the direct air link between Zurich and Cardiff, allowing the Swiss holidaymaker to discover Wales and offering a convenient connection to the Welsh and the Swiss business traveller.

Our research has convinced us that this service will be providing what the market has been asking for. We are looking forward to welcoming Welsh guests on board which will give us a chance to demonstrate the high Swiss air travel standards, comfort and quality of service which our regular Swiss guests are already familiar with.”

Deputy First Minister of Wales, Ieuan Wyn Jones said, "I am extremely pleased to hear that Helvetic Airways will be providing a new and exciting service from Zurich to Cardiff Airport and look forward to welcoming many new tourists and businesses to our shores each year. 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 news can surely only enhance our relationship further."

However congratulations on a new airline and new route and I hope that it is a success and we can help make it grow to possibly daily.

Hopefully more positive news to come.

Thats exactly the arrangement Helvetic have for their Bari route, and I hope they have it for Cardiff since I think the route will need all the help it can get

Unless they have a new business strategy, seems a very strange move from Helvetic. Their limited scheduled operations are all focused on destinations attractive to Swiss tourists (such as Inverness/the Highlands). I'm sure Wales will have some appeal to Swiss tourists, but not enough for four weekly flights. So there is going to have to be a hell of a lot of investment in marketing the service to Welsh customers if the route is to have a chance

Hopefully as well as Swiss, they have got both UK and Swiss tour operators on board

I hope the service does well, but I can't see success being easy sadly

Helvetic have been operating on behalf of Swiss for ages now, such as on the Swiss BHX route.

If Helvetic were to operate a CWL route on a Swiss flight number (codeshare) then this would open CWL up to the Swiss flight network.

I've flown with Swiss extensively, they're fantastic to fly with, complimentary meals and drinks, ultra friendly crews, clean cabins, and some VERY GOOD fares when booking direct on their website, Helvetic are OK also.

If anyone can push for a Swiss codeshare on the route then this would really be a bonus for CWL.

CWL-ZRH
 

It's official! Cardiff-Zurich will begin operating on 28 March :D

Helvetic Airways ? Flight, Book air tickets online ? Fly

Finally Cardiff Airport has decided to do a press release and the route is now showing on the Helvetic Airways website and in the destinations page.

You can see the timetable by clicking here

And prices start at EUR238.00 (GBP207.29) for a round trip CWL/ZRH/CWL, on the same dates Swiss are charging GBP133.90 BHX/ZRH/BHX or GBP125.30BHX/MXP/BHX (via ZRH) and with 21 services per week.

What time does the flight get into Zurich? Could be excellent to connect to the Swiss Dubai flight for example at 12.40.

I use the Helvetic F-100 on the BHX route quite a lot....load is generally pretty high (85+), and a lot of pax are transferring in ZRH

if you click on link provided above in my previous post it will provide the whole timetable for the route.

dubh12000,

Helvetic have 4 aircraft on contract to Swiss, whilst the aircraft are Heveltic those flights are Swiss, the pax are Swiss pax, and they are often travelling worldwide, not to ZRH, I have used the BHX route to MXP, FCO, HKG but never has, or will, my journey end be ZRH.

On Heveltic from CWL, to connect to a Swiss flight, will mean the purchase of 2 seperate flight bookings and the price alone will kill that one, last year I travelled BHX/ZRH/HKG for GBP415.60 (less GBP5 cashback), Heveltic want half on that just to get to ZRH and back.

If you want to go to DXB I suggest KLM from CWL or KLM, AF, LH, Swiss, Emirates etc. from BHX.

Heveltic Cwl to ZRH isn't exactly going to fly off the shelf!

Shame timings not better to cater for business or they couldn't have launched earlier to try and get some ski traffic, but interesting move - fingers crossed for its success and more new routes.

Pssst,

Prices CWL/ZRH/CWL, 21 services per week, with KLM start from GBP183.00, circa GBP25.00 cheaper than with Heveltic.

Yep, the Heveltic service is going to be a roaring success :)

Rumours coming through are for a CWL-NQY services. Will keep you posted