SkyWork Airlines reinstates London City Airport-Bern services

Monday 28th March 2011

SkyWork Airlines reinstates London City Airport-Bern services:

SkyWork Airlines of Switzerland made its debut in the UK market yesterday with its first Dornier 328 flight from Bern touching down at London City Airport at 1925. The airline's CEO Tomislav Lang will be in London this week to reinforce the airline's commitment to the route.

Initially operating once daily Sunday to Friday, he has already announced that from 5 September, frequency increases up to 11 flights a week facilitating day returns Monday to Friday, tailored to the needs of both business and leisure travellers.

Flight Schedule - 2011:

London City Airport - Bern:

Flt No Depart Arrive Days Period of operation

SX501 0755 1035 12345 05.09.11 - 28.10.11

SX112 1955 2235 123457 27.03.11 - 28.10.11

Bern - London City Airport:

Flt No Depart Arrive Days Period of operation

SX500 0645 0725 12345 05.09.11 - 28.10.11

SX111 1845 1925 123457 27.03.11 - 28.10.11

Recogising the importance of the travel trade on this route, SkyWork bookings will be accessible on the GDS systems, Amadeus and Galileo, effective early April. Lead in web fares at www.flyskywork.com start at 79 CHF (£52 pounds) each way.

The new service which is the only direct flight between London's premier business airport and Switzerland's capital, means that visitors headed for the Bernese Oberland no longer have to travel to Bern via Basel, Zurich or Geneva, saving up to two hours' journey time. Furthermore, with the cessation of London City-Basel services, travellers destined for Switzerland's second city can get there in just over an hour by car.

Matthew Hall, Chief Commercial Officer for London City Airport commented: "We are delighted to see the return of Bern to the LCY portfolio and feel that as expansion of London continues to moves towards the East of London, our Swiss passengers will see the demand for business travel connections increase. Skywork is an experienced "aviator" and although this is their first entry point into London, we will be working closely with them to develop the relationship further."

SkyWork, founded in 1983, offers Swiss themed inflight catering for London-originating passengers. For skiers, SkyWork Airlines offers a free hold baggage allowance of 20kg per passenger, plus cabin baggage of 8kgs. Skis, boot bags and sports equipment can be carried for a very competitive 26 CHF (£17).

Conveniently located for the Swiss Alps, Bern Airport is an exclusive and efficient airport providing short transfer times to some of Switzerland's finest ski resorts, including Interlaken, Adelboden, Grindelwald, Chateau-d'Oex, Kandersteg, Lenk, Murren and Wengen.

The airport has the added benefit of handling a low passenger volume, meaning reduced waiting time at security, baggage reclaim and check-in - ideal for skiers and walkers wishing to spend longer on the slopes and for time-pressed business travellers. In addition, Bern Airport boasts the cheapest car parking in Switzerland.

12 destinations from Bern Airport this year:

SkyWork Airlines is fully committed to Bern and as such will offer 12 destinations from the airport from the start of its winter timetable. SkyWork Airlines is adding Rome, Vienna and Milan on 5 September. Madrid, Belgrade, Budapest and Amsterdam follow in October, complementing existing services to London, Barcelona, Hamburg, Berlin and Palma Mallorca.

"Bern Airport has never seen an expansion on this scale. The availability of flights used to be somewhat limited, now we are bringing 12 regular, year round, routes, plus seasonal summer destinations. As the home base carrier of Bern Airport we are very pleased to be making a significant contribution to the development of Bern and offer our clients a real alternative to Basel and Zurich," said Tomislav Lang. "We have terrific support from the Bern community and from our home airport. We are proud of our unique offering which we market as 'Your Personal Way to Fly' with a strong emphasis on customer service and a quality in-flight product and our delighted to be bringing our model to the UK."

More Dornier 328s, Q400s being added:

SkyWork Airlines is also expanding its fleet with two more Dornier 328s and two more Bombardier Q400s. By year end SkyWork will have six aircraft. The company received a second Dornier 328 Turboprop earlier this month, while a second Bombardier Q400 arrives in May. Two further deliveries are being negotiated for the end of the year. Coincident with new routes and aircraft expansion SkyWork Airlines will increase its workforce from 90 to 150 personnel.

About SkyWork Airlines:

SkyWork Airlines was founded in 1983 initially offering flight training and air taxi services from the Gstaad Region with small Cessna executive aircraft. Today it has evolved into a burgeoning regional carrier flying Dornier 328 Turboprop and Bombardier Q400 aircraft. In winter 2009 the airline pioneered its first scheduled flights from Bern to Rotterdam. Services to Barcelona followed in March 2010, followed by Hamburg and Berlin in December 2010.

In 2010 SkyWork Airlines welcomed new investors with a resultant new corporate identity and the addition of seasonal flights to Palma Mallorca, Ibiza, Elba and Djerba. SkyWork Airlines has its own travel agency in Bern and is headquartered at Aemmenmattstrasse 43 in Belp, home to 80 personnel. This summer the airline will serve eight destinations, increasing to 12 destinations for the winter 2011 schedule. Your Personal Way to Fly is its claim - a philosophy it implements in every aspect of its operations - on the ground and in the air.

www.flyskywork.com