Northwest Airlines now touches down at Swiss capital’s airport

United States-based Northwest Airlines said Wednesday it was now adding Belp airport, just outside the Swiss capital, Berne, to its list of European destinations, in conjunction with its partner KLM.

United States-based Northwest Airlines said Wednesday it was now adding Belp airport, just outside the Swiss capital, Berne, to its list of European destinations, in conjunction with its partner KLM.

The newly-introduced flights from Amsterdam to Belp will be serviced by KLM alps/ Air Engiadina and are to become operational with the winter schedule, starting October 31.

Air Engiadina is Switzerland’s number three airline with six airplanes – two of which fly out of Austria.

The flights will be operated under a code-share agreement, which was signed on Wednesday, officials said.

Passengers will in future be able to fly to Amsterdam with a Northwest aircraft, change to a KLM alps/Air Engiadina plane and touch down in Berne.

The new route means that tourists and business people will be able to fly to the Berne region directly, without a detour via Zurich or Geneva.

This was an important new development that should boost business and tourism in the region, commentators said.

The new agreement will likely also provide a welcome boost for Air Engiadina, which is a young carrier that has been fighting severe losses recently.


From staff and wire reports.