Chambéry, Grenoble and Annecy serve the French resorts; Chambéry applies slot rules in the ski season. Samedan is the airport for St. Moritz, Saanen for Gstaad and Buochs for Engelberg, while Innsbruck and Salzburg cover the Austrian Alps. Several of these are mountain airports with daylight-only hours, special crew qualifications or winter slot rules, so the airport and the aircraft are chosen together. Charter-A plans both.
Private jet airports for the Alps & Ski Resorts compared
| Airport | Serves | Runway | Open | Customs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geneva LSGG | Geneva | 3,900 m | 06:00–22:00 | On site |
| Sion LSGS | Sion | ≈ 2,000 m | By arrangement | On site |
| Chambéry LFLB | Chambéry / Aix-les-Bains | 2,020 m | 07:30–21:00 | On request |
| Grenoble LFLS | Grenoble | 3,050 m | 07:00–21:00 | Yes |
| Annecy LFLP | Annecy | 1,630 m | 08:00–19:00 | On request |
| St. Moritz Samedan LSZS | St. Moritz | 1,800 m | 08:00–19:00 | Yes |
| Gstaad Saanen LSGK | Gstaad | 1,400 m | 08:00–20:00 | Yes |
| Bern LSZB | Bern | 1,730 m | 08:00–19:00 | Yes |
| Lucerne Buochs LSZC | Lucerne / Engelberg / Bürgenstock | 2,000 m | 08:00–12:05 | Yes |
| Zurich LSZH | Zurich | 3,700 m | 06:00–23:30 | On site |
| St. Gallen Altenrhein LSZR | St. Gallen / Bregenz / Vaduz | 1,455 m | 06:30–21:00 | On site |
| Innsbruck LOWI | Innsbruck | 2,000 m | 06:30–20:00 | On site |
| Salzburg LOWS | Salzburg | 2,750 m | 06:00–22:00 | On request |
Figures are from each airport’s own published information and are reconfirmed for every flight.
- Longest runway: Geneva, 3,900 metres.
- Customs available: Geneva, Sion, Grenoble, St. Moritz Samedan, Gstaad Saanen, Bern, Lucerne Buochs, Zurich, St. Gallen Altenrhein and Innsbruck.
Airport by airport
Private jet Geneva
Geneva is where much of the Alps begins, and its airport is well equipped for people arriving by private aircraft. Private jet charter at Geneva Airport runs through three private-aviation terminals on the business aviation side, with Swiss and French customs and immigration at the private terminals. Geneva Airport guide →
Private jet Sion
Sion sits in the Rhône valley, and from here a whole ring of Alpine resorts is within reach. Private jet charter at Sion Airport suits business jets on a runway of about 2,000 metres, with Signature running its own private terminal and ramp and customs available during operating hours. Sion Airport guide →
Private jet Chambéry
Chambéry is a serious ski airport, and in winter it behaves like one. Private jet charter at Chambéry Savoie Mont Blanc uses a 2,020-metre runway, with winter slot authorisation applying from roughly mid-December to mid-April. Chambéry Savoie Mont Blanc Airport guide →
Private jet Grenoble
Grenoble Alpes-Isère is a true ski-season airport, and at 3,050 metres its runway handles every business jet. Private jet charter at Grenoble Alpes-Isère is a common choice for the Isère and the Alpe d'Huez area in winter. Grenoble Alpes-Isère Airport guide →
Private jet Annecy
Annecy's airport looks out at the Alps, and it asks something of the pilots who use it. Private jet charter at Annecy is possible for jets, but the 1,630-metre runway sits in a mountain environment with crew-training requirements, and winter weekends are slot-controlled. Annecy Haute-Savoie Mont-Blanc Airport guide →
Private jet St. Moritz Samedan
At 1,707 metres, Engadin Airport is the highest airport in Europe, and it is where private aircraft arrive for St. Moritz. Engadin Airport (St. Moritz – Samedan) guide →
Private jet Gstaad Saanen
Saanen is a small Alpine airfield that is asked to do a lot each winter. Private jet charter at Gstaad-Saanen Airport is the natural route to Gstaad itself, but the runway is only 1,400 metres with nearby obstacles, so jet capability is limited and each type must be cleared with the airport. Gstaad-Saanen Airport guide →
Private jet Bern
Bern is a capital city with a small airport, and Belp is where its business jets arrive. Private jet charter at Bern Airport centres on a dedicated business aviation area for aircraft over 3.5 tonnes, with full-service handling and catering, and Customs and Border Police on site. Bern Airport (Bern-Belp) guide →
Private jet Lucerne Buochs
Buochs is a working airfield in Central Switzerland that handles far bigger jets than its size suggests. Private jet charter at Buochs Airport suits business jets up to Gulfstream G650, Global Express or Challenger 60x size, on a hard runway 2,000 metres long and 40 wide. Buochs Airport guide →
Private jet Zurich
Zurich runs on a timetable, and private flights follow it. Private jet charter at Zurich Airport uses the General Aviation Center on the business aviation apron in Kloten, where customs is on site and several handling agents are available. Zurich Airport guide →
Private jet St. Gallen Altenrhein
Altenrhein sits on the Swiss shore of Lake Constance, closer to Austria and Germany than most Swiss airports. Private jet charter at St. St. Gallen-Altenrhein Airport guide →
Private jet Innsbruck
Innsbruck sits in a valley ringed by mountains, and the approach is part of the experience. Private jet charter at Innsbruck Airport is handled through the General Aviation Center at Fürstenweg 180, with customs on site, and business jets use the south apron. Innsbruck Airport guide →
Private jet Salzburg
Salzburg is a festival city, a ski base and a Mozart pilgrimage all at once, and its airport reflects that with careful rules for private flights. Private jet charter at Salzburg Airport is handled through a General Aviation Center with its own apron, where aircraft are met by a follow-me vehicle and marshalled to the stand. Salzburg Airport W. A. Mozart guide →
The Alps by private jet: your questions answered
Which airport is best for a private jet to the Alps?
Thirteen airports serve the Alps by private jet. Geneva is the main airport for Verbier, the Valais and the French Alps, with a 3,900 metre runway and Swiss and French customs on site. Sion lies in the Rhône valley itself and serves Crans-Montana, Verbier, Zermatt, Saas-Fee and Nendaz. Chambéry, Grenoble and Annecy serve the French resorts; Chambéry applies slot rules in the ski season. Samedan is the airport for St. Moritz, Saanen for Gstaad and Buochs for Engelberg, while Innsbruck and Salzburg cover the Austrian Alps. Several of these are mountain airports with daylight-only hours, special crew qualifications or winter slot rules, so the airport and the aircraft are chosen together. Charter-A plans both.
How many private jet airports serve the Alps?
Thirteen: Geneva Airport, Sion Airport, Chambéry Savoie Mont Blanc Airport, Grenoble Alpes-Isère Airport, Annecy Haute-Savoie Mont-Blanc Airport, Engadin Airport (St. Moritz – Samedan), Gstaad-Saanen Airport, Bern Airport (Bern-Belp), Buochs Airport, Zurich Airport, St. Gallen-Altenrhein Airport, Innsbruck Airport and Salzburg Airport W. A. Mozart.
Which has the longest runway?
Geneva Airport, at 3,900 metres.