Swiss airline powdair will operate new routes from Sion in the Valais region of Switzerland that include two flights a week from Manchester Airport.

The flights will start from December 2017 and will significantly cut transfer times to some of Switzerland’s most popular ski resorts for winter sports enthusiasts with prices averaging at around £140 each way including ski carriage.

Manchester Airport will have flights departing on Thursdays and Saturdays from December 16.

Zoë Ombler, Head of Marketing and Customer Experience at powdair, said: “Following a period of consultation between our management team and by popular demand from our market research, we are delighted to announce that Manchester Airport will serve our route to Sion, Switzerland this winter.

“We know there’s a healthy community of skiers and snowboarders in the North West region and many people we spoke to were excited at the prospect of flying into the heart of the Alps, to an airport not currently serviced by anyone else.”

The Commercial Director for Manchester Airport, Stephen Turner, said: “We are delighted to welcome powdair to Manchester Airport, I am sure they will prove a popular choice with skiers from our catchment area.”