Switzerland: 40-50% Cheaper

[IMG=21407-7262] BANKO has reported that only one debut charter program will be operated to Switzerland in winter season 2006-2007. However, Erzog Tour Operator announced its intention to operate its own Moscow – Geneva flight. Weekly flights will be operated from December 30th to March 24th by KD-avia Boeing-737. Alexander Shirokov, Director of Erzog Office, commented as follows: ‘we have negotiated with Geneva airport since last year. Therefore, we got permission for a charter. It is a very difficult airport and if a program is planned at the last moment it will be a failure’. As a result two charter programs from Moscow to Switzerland (the second one is consolidated by Jet Travel) will be operated in the season 2006-2007. Experts do not forecast excess of flights pointing out the situation of last year when there was a shortage of flights to Switzerland. The main change will refer to decrease in air traffic cost followed by cheaper tour packages. A charter flight will cost around 380 Euros, while a scheduled flight costs around 600 Euros. Travel market players divided opinions regarding this change. Organizers of business programs, operators that use scheduled flights are mainly concerned about the situation. ‘the market reaction is logical and predictable. Nobody wants to sell tours for 40-50% less’, said Maxim Pristavko, Commercial Director of Jet Travel. Furthermore, Natalia Sizova, Senior Commercial representative in Russia and CIS countries of the Swiss Tourism Board, stated as follows: ‘other ski destinations also used to be expensive, but now are sold at real prices. Switzerland will follow the same scenario’.