London Oxford Airport will get its first international scheduled flights with the introduction of Baboo services this December to Geneva in Switzerland. Flights will operate weekly on Saturdays from 19 December using ultra-modern and highly fuel-efficient Bombardier Q400 aircraft., with seat only prices from just £78 one way, inclusive of all departure charges and taxes.

London Oxford Airport Managing Director, Steve Jones said: “We are delighted to introduce Geneva as our first international scheduled service and see this as a major turning point in the future of the Airport - we are a niche facility bringing bespoke destinations within a stone’s throw of the Oxford and Thames Valley market.  Baboo is a highly regarded Swiss regional carrier, their Q400 fleet is perfectly suited to niche markets like ours and we look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with the airline.”

Baboo CEO, Jacques Bankir, said: “Baboo is delighted to be the first international airline to serve Oxford.  Baboo is a Geneva-based niche carrier with an excellent reputation for service to exclusive destinations such as St Tropez, Biarritz or Venice. From the end of October, it also launches a twice-daily prime time schedule between London City and Geneva.

“With the addition of the Oxford service on Saturdays, smart skiers will be able to reach the numerous Swiss and French resorts that are so easily accessible by train, bus or car direct from Geneva airport: Verbiers, Crans-Montana, Zermatt, Chamonix, Flaine and  Megeve to name but a few.”

The flights will commence in perfect time for the 2009/2010 ski season, with Geneva providing an ideal gateway to some of the Alps’ finest ski resorts in Switzerland, France and Italy. Baboo operates a ‘full frills’ service and flight prices include a generous baggage and complimentary ski or snowboard allowance.

“Being able to fly from London Oxford to Geneva and some of the world’s greatest ski areas is going to revolutionise the whole concept of winter sports travel for this region,” said David Gambier, MD of Witney-based Great Experience Travel, on hearing the news. “We couldn’t be more excited at Baboo’s decision to serve Oxford, customers in this region are crying out for such convenient, quality scheduled airline options. Geneva is perfect for our market.”

Linking these cities brings together two major centres for academic excellence, science, technology and research. Both Oxford and Geneva are primary centres for global bio-pharmaceutical companies. Geneva is well worth a visit in its own right - it is a vibrant commercial centre renowned for being Switzerland’s most cosmopolitan city. Located where the Rhone River exits Lake Geneva, with a magnificent and scenic lakeshore frontage, Geneva is exceptionally picturesque, features some of Europe’s finest hotels, a casino and exquisite shopping – such as Swiss watches and fine jewellery.

Oxford, as the third most visited city in England outside of London, attracts more than ten million international visitors a year.  The Baboo Geneva flights will now, for the first time, deliver international tourists directly to the door of this magnificent University city, renowned the world over for its ‘dreaming spires’ and 800-year academic history.

The Geneva route will appeal to residents in Oxfordshire, the Thames Valley, the South Midlands and Home Counties. Some five million people live within an hour’s drive of the airport, which is close to the M40, A34, A40 and A44 road networks.