Long road to recovery starts as travel restrictions finally relax New flights for winter 2021 – 2022 to Grenoble Alpes Isère Airport
The further easing of travel restrictions this month resulted in an upsurge in passengers booking ski holidays to the Grenoble Alpes Isère gateway. With consumer confidence on the rise, the airport hopes to match the 2020 figure of over 210,000 skiers to pass through Grenoble Alpes Isère airport this winter season, marking the highest monthly passenger numbers since March 2020. The relaxation in rules has provided a much-needed boost to the UK ski industry and French ski resorts, and enabled people across Britain to look forward to a more normal winter reuniting family and friends skiing.
Finally, some snow laden slopes are on the horizon. The UK Government is now capitalising on the vaccine dividend and seizing the opportunity to replace expensive PCR tests with more affordable lateral flow tests. This will ensure a ski holiday remains attainable for passionate skiers, desperate to hit the slopes. As France hits its vaccine rollout milestones whilst maintaining low infection rates, the reopening of vital ski travel links is critical for the British ski sector. As a major player for access to the Alps ski resorts, VINCI Airports strives to increase flight routes annually.
This winter sees the introduction of three new ski routes from the UK to Grenoble Alpes Isère airport. Weekly flights on a Sunday will arrive from Liverpool John Lennon airport with easyJet, from 5th December to 30th April 2022. A new route from Luton airport with Wizz Air flies from 7th December to 30th April 2022 whilst RYANAIR adds Manchester, London Luton and a second flight from Dublin for the season.
With a frequency of flying from London Gatwick and Stansted every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday guests can opt for a ski short break as an option. Picking a resort with short transfers from the airport, savvy skiers can squeeze in an extra half day – or even full day – on the slopes This allows skiers to save valuable holiday days without taking a full week off to enjoy the mountains.
The location of Grenoble Alpes Isère airport is a huge plus as many Isère ski resorts (Alpe d’Huez, Les 2 Alpes, Vaujany, Oz en Oisans, Chamrousse, Les 7 Laux, Villards des Lans etc) are easily reached in less than two hours. The airport is welcoming to the average skier, especially when compared to catching a flight in a larger crowded airport. Within the airport itself, skiers will find convenience as well as thorough shorter security checkpoint wait times, curb side coach parks and more abundant parking closer to the terminal, fewer queues for food, and faster, more efficient boarding procedures.
Grenoble Isère airport will be served by 11 routes from the UK and Ireland for winter 2021/22.
easyJet – Bristol and Luton: Saturday and Sunday, Edinburgh: Saturday, London Gatwick: Monday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, Liverpool: Sunday.
British Airways – London Heathrow – Saturday and Sunday
Jet2 – Birmingham Manchester – Saturday Sunday, London Stansted– Sunday, Newcastle – Saturday.
Wizz – London Luton – Saturday and Tuesday
RYANAIR – Bristol, Dublin, Manchester, Luton – Saturday and Stansted on a Saturday and Sunday.
The slopes of all local resorts are also a short drive from the airport and easily accessible by tour operator transfer, hire car and regular coach services which run directly from the airport.
Regular shuttle services available from the terminal are on hand to all the main ski resorts: Alpe d’Huez. Les 2 Alpes, Oz en Oisans, Vaujany, Auris en Oisans, Villards Reculas, Aime, Bourg d’Oisans, Bourg St Maurice, Chamrousse, Les Menuires, Moutiers, Serre Chevalier, St Martin de Belleville, St Foy, Tignes, Val d’Isère, Val Thorens, Brides Les Bains, Courchevel, La Grave, La Plagne, La Roisère, La Tania, Les Allues, Les Arcs, Méribel and Mottaret.
Flights are available with easyJet departing from Liverpool John Lennon airport on 5th December costing from £29 per person including small luggage. To book www.easyjet.com
Flights are available with Ryanair departing from Bristol airport in December costing from £24 per person return including small luggage. To book www.ryanair.com
Flights are available with easyJet departing London Gatwick airport on 4th December for three nights costing from £25 per person return including small luggage. To book www.easyjet.com
