BRITISH Airways' new BA CitiExpress offshoot has recently launched its fifth new route in a year.

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.

Fares: Club Euro and Eurotraveller classes are available. A special promotional fare of £85 return (including all taxes, fees and charges) was on sale until November 5, but is valid for travel until March 31, 2002.

The next lead in fare after that is £149 return, including all taxes, fees and charges, and is on sale all year. A Saturday night stay is required on both fares.

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