Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Edelweiss Airlines celebrated a major milestone on June 2, 2025, as its inaugural flight from Zurich touched down at Bristol Airport, opening a new direct air link between Switzerland and the South West of England.
The arrival marks the start of a twice-weekly service designed to enhance travel convenience, business connectivity, and tourism prospects for the region.
A New Gateway Between Switzerland and South West England
The Edelweiss flight, operating on Mondays and Fridays, offers passengers a direct connection between Zurich — one of Europe’s foremost financial hubs and a gateway to the Swiss Alps — and Bristol Airport, a key regional transport hub for the South West, serving cities including Bristol, Bath, and the wider surrounding areas.
Until now, travelers from the South West needing to visit Switzerland or beyond often had to connect via London or other major hubs, resulting in longer journey times and less convenient travel options. The new Edelweiss route simplifies this by providing a local departure point, reducing travel time, and increasing accessibility for both leisure and business travelers.
Rupert Lawrie, Commercial Director of Bristol Airport, said:
“The new route marks a significant milestone in regional tourism, offering Swiss visitors a direct gateway to the South West rather than having to commute to the region once they arrive in the UK.”
“Zurich is a highly sought-after destination with Edelweiss providing customers in the South West and Wales with a direct connection to a major European hub, enhancing travel and trade links between the South West, Switzerland and other major cities in Europe.”
This improved connectivity is expected to bolster not only leisure tourism but also trade and investment opportunities by facilitating easier business travel and cultural exchange.
Enhancing Tourism and Local Economy
Data from the UK’s Office for National Statistics and regional tourism bodies highlight the importance of international visitors to Bristol and the wider West of England economy. According to the Visit West organization, Swiss tourists are among the significant contributors to the local visitor economy.
Jon Chamberlain, Head of Marketing at Visit West, emphasized the importance of the new flight for tourism growth:
“We are thrilled to welcome the inaugural flight to Bristol from Zurich with Edelweiss. The International Passenger Survey data for 2023 showed record numbers of Swiss visits to Bristol.”
“For the West of England as a whole, the 2023 numbers were just behind the record high in 2019. Swiss visitors are a critical part of our local visitor economy, and we look forward to being able to grow those numbers and spend this year, working in partnership with the Airport and airline.”
Tourism directly supports thousands of jobs in the South West and drives revenue in hospitality, retail, transport, and cultural sectors. A more direct flight connection to Switzerland could lead to increased visitor numbers, longer stays, and higher economic impact.
Flight Experience and Passenger Benefits
The inaugural Edelweiss flight took less than two hours, underscoring the efficiency of this new route. Upon arrival at Bristol Airport, passengers were greeted with a celebratory reception, including goodie bags featuring locally made luxury chocolates from renowned Bristol chocolatier Guilbert’s and a visitor’s guide highlighting attractions in the South West.
Edelweiss customers will benefit from convenient onward travel options via its sister company SWISS Airlines, with easy connections from Zurich to other European cities such as Munich and Vienna. This interline cooperation expands the travel network for passengers, increasing flexibility and choices.
The new service also meets the needs of both business travelers attending meetings in the region’s industrial estates and leisure tourists eager to explore the South West’s cultural and natural attractions, such as the Cotswolds, Bath, Cheddar Gorge, and the scenic Bristol Harbourside.
Bristol Airport’s Growth Strategy
Bristol Airport, one of the UK’s fastest-growing regional airports, has been actively expanding its route portfolio to strengthen its position as the gateway to South West England. The addition of Edelweiss’s Zurich service aligns with the airport’s broader strategy to increase international connectivity, encourage tourism growth, and support local economic development.
The airport’s leadership remains committed to working with airlines, regional partners, and tourism bodies to identify and develop new routes that meet passenger demand and stimulate regional prosperity.
Wider Implications for UK-Switzerland Connectivity
The introduction of direct flights from Bristol to Zurich comes at a time when international travel is rebounding strongly following pandemic disruptions. This new service supports the UK’s ambition to diversify international air links beyond London and enhances business, leisure, and cultural exchanges between the two countries.
Switzerland, with its status as a global financial hub, offers significant potential for trade and investment partnerships with UK regions like the South West, which is known for its technology, aerospace, and manufacturing sectors.
Conclusion
Edelweiss’s launch of direct flights from Zurich to Bristol marks an exciting new chapter in regional aviation and tourism. By connecting the South West of England more directly to Switzerland and Europe, the route promises enhanced convenience for travelers, boosted economic opportunities for local businesses, and enriched cultural exchanges.
As this twice-weekly service settles into operation, both Bristol Airport and regional tourism stakeholders anticipate positive impacts, including higher visitor arrivals, increased business travel, and a stronger presence on the international travel map.
