Skyalps - New Airline Route Launches From London To Bolzano, Starting December 2021

As the first proper post-pandemic ski season beckons this winter – prompting huge excitement among skiers – a new premium air service linking London and Italy’s South Tyrol launches this December, just in time for the season. The service, operated by the new start-up airline SkyAlps, will whisk passengers directly in to one of Europe’s most challenging, varied and dramatic ski regions. Until now, those visiting the South Tyrol have had to take a lengthy, two hour-transfer from major airports such as Verona, Milan, Venice or Innsbruck.

The new route, which starts on 15 December, will for the first time offer return flights between London Gatwick and Bolzano in northern Italy. Flights will operate every Wednesday and Saturday in December and the first week of January, and then on Wednesdays and Sundays for the rest of the winter season until 20 March. The flight has an average duration of 2 hours and 20 minutes and the schedule will be as follows:

Wednesdays

• Departing BZO at 11:00 and arriving LGW at 12:30
• Departing LGW at 13:30 and arriving BZO at 16:50

Saturdays – December and 1 January

• Departing BZO at 14:00 and arriving LGW at 15:30
• Departing LGW at 16:30 and arriving BZO at 19:50

Sundays – second week of January until 20 March

• Departing BZO at 14:10 and arriving LGW at 15:40
• Departing LGW at 16:40 and arriving BZO at 20:00

The consortium behind SkyAlps – led by one of Italy’s leading green energy companies - now owns Bolzano Airport, which has been closed since 2016. Plans are in place for increasing the frequency of winter flights from London to Bolzano and already SkyAlps are using Bolzano as a hub to reach other destinations including Dusseldorf, Copenhagen and Rotterdam. Additional destinations are imminent.

The service is seen as a premium option for skiers, but it is still excellent value with seat prices starting at €135 each way. In keeping with its parent company’s green credentials, the De Havilland Dash Q400 aircraft operated by SkyAlps, seat up to 78 passengers and offer one of the “greenest” passenger eco-footprints imaginable. 

The stunning Dolomite resorts of the Sella Ronda, just an hour from Bolzano Airport make up one of the Europe’s most extensive and exciting linked circuits. The circular route can be undertaken in sections; it offers more than 40km of pistes and some of the finest gastronomy and luxury accommodation in Europe.

Many of the best resorts are less than 60 mins away from Bolzano by taxi or bus transfer – helicopter transfers are also possible, making the journey even shorter. The small airport at Bolzano has just two gates – eliminating queues and enabling a very fast turnaround time. The airline also offers passengers an extensive in-flight menu made up of regional delicacies.

In recent years, the resorts of the South Tyrol have become among the most popular in Europe. The skiing – which ranges from challenging to easy - appeals to all level of skier. The choice of hotel accommodation, top-quality restaurants and the cosiest of mountain refuges offering delicious lunches, exemplary wines and warm Bombardinos served in the mountain sun makes the South Tyrol especially suited for parties made up of skiers as well as non-skiers.

Sustained investment by the Italian authorities in state-of-the art-snow machines and grooming technology makes the South Tyrol one of the most snow-sure regions in Europe; the skiing is both dependable and thrilling. Non-skiers can also make the most of other activities including ice climbing, walking and the top quality spa and sporting facilities offered by a range of luxury resort hotels.