BRITISH Airways' BA CitiExpress offshoot launched its fifth new route in a year, and the BEN's CHRIS SUDLOW went on one of the first daily flights from Manchester to Zurich. This is his report.

Jetting to a city in style

THE sleek £15m jet pulled to a halt on the runway. Within a couple of minutes, the outside door of the 49-seater Embraer 145 opened and passengers disembarked.

The waiting bus took us to the terminal, then within minutes we had walked down to the railway station deep under the building.

Every five or six minutes trains leave for destinations all over Switzerland, most calling at the main station in the city centre.

For this was Zurich and the launch of British Airways' new twice daily service from Manchester.

With a flight time of about one hour and 40 minutes and transfer into the centre little more than 10 minutes on colourful double-decker trains, this was a smart operation indeed.

BA's new subsidiary British Airways CitiExpress has moved swiftly to fill the gap caused by the impending demise of Swissair.

The signs of decline were plain to see on arrival with dozens of planes with that proud red cross flag parked idly off the runway.

The events of September 11 are having a huge effect on the Swiss national airline.

Ambitious expansion plans at Zurich-Kloten airport have been overtaken by the tragic events in America and made the need for the almost completed third terminal look wildly optimistic, and perhaps, money down the drain.

BA is anxious to point out legitimate business concerns are the reason for the new service, which fills the gap created by the loss of the Swissair link.

David Neill, head of route development for BA CitiExpress, said: "We have been planning for some time to launch a Manchester-Zurich service."

In fact, this is the fifth new BA route from Manchester in the last year and the introduction of the smaller Embraer 145 jet has helped make this all possible.

Aimed principally at the quick return business market, but also accessible at a much more realistic fare for those who can include a Saturday night stopover, Zurich offers all sorts of possibilities.

Adds Mr Neill: "Zurich is a key destination for northern business travellers and it is one of the major financial centres in Europe. Timings are ideal for passengers wishing to conduct a full day's business without incurring an overnight stay."

For Manchester Airport, managing director John Spooner, said: "Zurich is one of our 10 most popular European cities served, and it is great news, especially in the current climate, that British Airways will offer a double daily service on weekdays.

"As well as being the world's biggest gold trading centre, Zurich is also a very popular city break destination, and also very close to the Alps for those skiing in the winter season."

On the day we travelled, the sky was bright, the air was clear, and the Alps could just be seen in the distant South -- just over an hour away by car or train.

Zurich is the largest city in the country with a population of 360,000, and a catchment area of about three million within less than an hour's drive.

Business opportunities are provided by Zurich Network, a private and public partnership which offers help and advice.

Chief executive Willy Meier admitted the national airline had been hit very hard by recent events and stressed the importance of maintaining links between the two cities.

Zurich city is ideal to explore. Centred on the Limmat river on the northern end of Lake Zurich, the old town is a lively area of bars, restaurants and winding streets.

The main shopping area - the Bahnoffstrasse - has enough shopping variety to please anybody.

FLIGHT TIMES: Manchester take off 7.05am and 2.55pm with services arriving back at Manchester at 11.40am and 8pm. Saturday departures: 9.30am returning to Manchester at 2.10pm. Sunday: 2.55pm departure arriving back at 8pm.

Telephone: BA: 0845 77 333 77

Zurich tourism: 41 1 215 40 00

Zurich Network: 41 1 254 59 54

Weblinks:

For BA click HERE

For Zurich tourism click HERE

For Zurich Network click HERE

Zurich's pools and lidos

WHEN the sun goes down things really start to hot up in Zurich's pools and lidos with bars, DJs, readings and cinema. There are five outdoor pools, six lakeside lidos, five riverside lidos and seven indoor pools, some of which also have outdoor recreation areas.

General info: www.badi-info.ch HERE

Barfussbar at the women-only pool, Stadthausquai: www.barfussbar.ch HERE

Rimini Bar at the men-only pool, Am Schanzengraben www.tonttu.ch HERE

Oberer Letten, Lettensteg 10

(also has a cinema: www.filmfluss.ch HERE)

Steam train trips

THE Zurich Museum Railway (ZMB) is a historic railway right in the middle of Zurich. It runs on the rails used by the Sihltal Railway between Zurich Main Station or Wiedikon and Sihlbrugg.

www.museumsbahn.ch HERE

Paddle steamers on the lake

THE nostalgic paddle steamers operated by the Zurichsee-Schifffahrtsgesellschaft (Lake Zurich Boat Company), "Stadt Zurich" (built in 1909) and "Stadt Rapperswil" (built in 1914) are firm favourites with the public.

Steam info: www.zsg.ch HERE

Other steam trips in the Zurich region are operated by the Damptbahn-Verein Zurcher-Oberland (Zurich Oberland Steam Train Association) and on Lake Greifen:

Not far from the city, in the picturesque Zurich Oberland region, visitors will find the unique Zurich Oberland Steam Train Association Museum Railway (DVZO) and its historical steam trains which run on standard gauge track between Hinwil and Bauma in the Toss Valley.

Further info: www.dvzo.ch HERE and www.sgggreifensee.ch HERE

Open air cinemas

Orange Cinema Zurich in the Zurichhorn park: A giant 35O0m2 screen and 1,700 seats.

Every year, 30 fabulous films can be enjoyed on the giant 350m2 screen at the legendary Open-Air Cinema by Lake Zurich.

Further info: www.orangecinema-ch HERE

Flimfluss Cinema at the Unterer Letten lido: with the kind of views you only see in films

In July every year, the lido at Unterer Letten is transformed into a very special open-air cinema. The scenery in Zurich's oldest river lido is both romantic and urbane. The river Limmat murmurs and gurgles past the screen while on the other side, the old industrial district is silhouetted against the evening sky.

Further info: www.filmfluss.ch HERE

World class athletics

Once a year, the best athletes in the world at the starting blocks and a thrilling atmosphere on the stands put the Zurich Letzigrund Stadium at the centre of the athletics world.

Further information: www.weltklasse.ch/eng/index.html HERE

Theatre spectacle

The Zurich Theatre Spectacle is a festival for new and innovative theatre, dance theater and related genres.

Further information: www.theaterspektakel.ch HERE

Resort and Spa

With its new "Akari" spa zone, an oasis dedicated to wellness and fitness, the luxurious Panorama Resort & Spa located in Feusisberg high above Lake Zurich has set new standards in hospitality. The 2000m2 complex boasts every imaginable facility, including indoor and outdoor pools, whirlpools, saunas, steam rooms and five luxury beauty baths.

Further info: www.panoramaresort.ch HERE