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We have ski lift-off!

23rd December 2014 Print

As the region’s Christmas getaway begins, snow sport fans from across the West Midlands are making the most of two new flight routes to ski destinations.

Monarch Airlines has launched new flights to Salzburg and Turin from Birmingham Airport as a key part of its winter programme.

The new routes, whose inaugural flights departed from Birmingham this morning, each offer a weekly service to the Alps. They have been implemented as part of an extended winter programme by the airline which has seen a significant increase in demand over the festive season.

More people from the West Midlands are looking to get away during the Christmas holidays than ever before - 23,307 Monarch passengers will be passing through Birmingham Airport over the festive break, an increase of 27% on last year. The airline’s busiest departure day from Birmingham is 27th December as people from the across the region jet off after a traditional family Christmas.

The airline has responded to huge customer demand by increasing the number of flights out of Birmingham by a third, with 131 flights this year compared to 102 in 2013.

Marjan Schoeke, Head of Network at Monarch Airlines said; “Today’s inaugural flights to Salzburg and Turin mark an important step for the offer available to the region’s travellers. Monarch now offers routes to five European ski destinations throughout the winter from Birmingham, providing exceptional choice for all our customers.

“Both the Salzburg and Turin routes are benefitting from weekly flights every Saturday, perfect for those looking to hit the Alps this winter ski season and demand for these new routes has been unprecedented.

“Birmingham is always a busy airport for Monarch and this year even more so, with bookings far outstripping the 2013/14 winter programme.

We look forward to welcoming the region’s travellers on board and getting our customers’ festive breaks off to a flying start.”

Paul Kehoe, Chief Executive of Birmingham Airport said; "These two new routes starting this weekend are welcome additions to the winter flight programme from Birmingham and will be particularly popular with ski and snowboarding lovers wanting to hit the slopes this Christmas. We thank Monarch Airlines for increasing its winter programme from Birmingham which will see increased capacity to many popular sun, ski and city break destinations."

Monarch Airlines flies from Birmingham airport to Salzburg from £45 including taxes and fees one-way, and Turin from £28 including taxes and fees one-way. For more information, visit monarch.co.uk/offers/flights/new-destinations-w14