Genève Aéroport,
19
December
2018
|
15:28
Europe/Amsterdam

Press Kit: Genève Aéroport

Summary

Created in 1920, Genève Aéroport is one of the oldest airports on the old continent. It accompanied the first days of aviation and grew at the same time as the city, whose development and reputation it serves more than ever. Today its passengers come from the six French-speaking cantons of Switzerland, the neighbouring cities of German-speaking Switzerland (before Zurich became a more convenient option), from neighbouring french departments (mainly Ain and Haute-Savoie, as well as Savoie, Rhône and Isère for specific intercontinental flights) and finally from Northern Italy which naturally aggregates to its catchment area through the Mont Blanc Tunnel and the Autoroute Blanche motorway. Therefore Genève Aéroport represents the centre of gravity of a vast, cross-border, region of 6.5 million inhabitants.

In 2018, more than 17.6 million passengers did use this infrastructure. In constant motion, this airport platform continues to grow coping with the increasing demand of the region. Geneva is today connected to more than 148 destinations operated by 57 airlines.

Today its passengers come from the six French-speaking cantons of Switzerland, the neighbouring cities of German-speaking Switzerland (before Zurich became a more convenient option), from neighbouring french departments (mainly Ain and Haute-Savoie, as well as Savoie, Rhône and Isère for specific intercontinental flights) and finally from Northern Italy which naturally aggregates to its catchment area through the Mont Blanc Tunnel and the Autoroute Blanche motorway. Therefore Genève Aéroport represents the centre of gravity of a vast, cross-border, region of 6.5 million inhabitants.

With a specialisation in point-to-point connection (the airport is meant to connect Geneva with Europe’s main capitals and cities within a two-hour flight average radius, and in particular with major hubs such as London, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Frankfurt, etc.) the airport still serves more distant destinations such as New York, Washington, Montreal-Toronto, Beijing and the major hubs of the Arabian Peninsula.

The vocation of Genève Aéroport to ensure primarily short-haul connections has given a significant boost to easyJet, the low cost airline, which now represents 45% of the traffic volume. Anyway, more than half of passengers transiting through Genève Aéroport travel with regular companies. No difference of treatment between passengers of different companies is made, all operators are treated with the same respect and the infrastructure they share is evolving indiscriminately to meet the needs of all passengers.

With the construction of the East Wing building designed to accommodate new boarding lounges primarily intended for long-haul flights, which is due to be opened in 2020, Genève Aéroport is giving itself the means to accommodate its traffic with better quality services and to increase its international attractiveness.

 

A gateway to the Swiss and French Alps, Genève Aéroport is, in summer as in winter, a driver for regional tourism: 95% of passengers landing at Genève Aéroport are staying in the area (and only 5% of them, the “connecting” passengers, will continue their air journey to other destinations).

This feature allows the airport to define itself as the backbone of the region’s economy. Therefore, two-thirds of the businesses in the region claim to be highly dependent on the airport. The airport platform of Geneva is a decisive pull factor for multinational companies established in the area.

Its international dimension, acquired immediately after the Second World War, also made it a driver for the development of the International Geneva which is today hosting the United Nations’ (UN) headquarter, as well as many non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and whose staff represents a cosmopolitan community of more than 40,000 people.

The population of the Canton of Geneva includes over 40% foreign nationals. Thus, the airport also acts as the umbilical cord between these communities and their countries of origin, their roots, their language. In this respect, it plays an important social role, while serving as an exchange accelerator at cultural level.

Property of the State of Geneva, Genève Aéroport is an autonomous public institution since 1994. The company employs more than 1,000 employees who provide nearly 200 different functions. It is the flagship of a site that hosts some 200 other companies employing around 11,000 employees.

Genève Aéroport generates aeronautical income (landing royalties, passenger royalties etc.) and non-aeronautical revenues (parking, estate management, shops and advertising etc.), which enable it every year to cope with the maintenance of its infrastructure and to finance its investments and its development. The company doesn’t receive any subsidies from any public authority. Each year, it pays half its profits to the State.