Friedrichshafen: Your Access All Areas Gateway to the Alps - Announces New flight with British Airways on 14th December 2014

British Airways will be launching a new direct flight from Gatwick to Friedrichshafen Airport on 14th December 2014.

Skiers have already been enjoying the benefits of flying to Friedrichshafen Airport in the winter with six weekly direct flights from Gatwick and Manchester on other airlines.  The addition of the British Airways flight adds further accessibility for winter holidaymakers.  The winter schedule runs through to April 2015.

Friedrichshafen Airport is only a 60 to 90 minute transfer by coach, car or train to internationally recognised, quality ski resorts throughout Switzerland, Austria, Italy and Germany including St. Anton, Lech, Zurs and Flims-Laax.

With convenient flight times, just an hour and a half flight from London and two hours from Manchester, means that same day fly and ski is possible for those flying into the Airport and transferring on to one of the nearby sky resorts.

From here you can experience four countries, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, giving visitors a fantastic opportunity to explore the area and its surroundings. Whether it's beautiful Lake Constance, Europe's highest mountain range - The Alps or the areas rich cultural and historical influences heading back to 3000 BC , there is something for everyone.

Lake Constance is an ideal destination for visitors. The lake's 270km shoreline is shared between Germany, Austria and Switzerland.  More than half of the shoreline of Lake Constance is in Germany.  There are three distinct areas. The German stretch on the north shore between Bregenz in Austria and the town of Konstanz and the Swiss border is known as Obersee.  Überlingen, the north western arm and Untersee, the 'lower lake' in the south west. The views of the Swiss Alps from the German shore are breathtaking.

The lake is a hub for water sports, from sailing, cruises, windsurfing, canoeing and swimming. Sand and pebble beaches are dotted around the lake and there are marinas in several towns with a number of regattas and sailing competitions taking place in the summer months. In summer, Mainau island with its beautiful flower gardens, the Island Reichenau being UNESCO world cultural heritage as the historical pile dwellings in Unteruhldingen also, are only a few of the visitor magnets.

The shorelines are home to swathes of vineyards and intriguing towns. The area is rich in castles, baroque churches, exquisite town squares and curious museums, while the hinterland is dotted with pretty villages and child-friendly attractions like the famous Ravensburger Spieleland.

It is a hiker's heaven with more than 32kms of trails around Lake Constance and The Alps which are easily accessible from Lake Constance.

Friedrichshafen itself is famous as the home of Zeppelin airships and the excellent Zeppelin Museum. At the airport you can still arrange scenic zeppelin flights to get impressed by the astonishing lake&mountains panorama. Visitors are also attracted to the excellent Dornier aviation museum.

Around the lake and a few kilometers from the German-Austrian border is Bregenz. The town is recognised as a cultural centre, with its large floating stage behind the concert hall used for spectacular operas in the annual summer festival and celebrated on the big screen in the James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace.

As well as the fantastic winter activities available, the picturesque towns around the Lake Constance area come alive with traditional Christmas markets, giving shoppers the perfect place to pick up a unique seasonal gift.

Log on to FDH's dedicated UK online platform at www.fly-away.de/ for more information and flight schedules into FDH.

-Ends-

Notes to Editors

An invitation only inaugural Media and Trade trip will take place on 14th December 2014 for 3 nights.  The trip will include visits to 3 countries in 3 days familiarisation of airport, Ski activity, Christmas Markets, visits to local attractions and highlights.

PRESS TRIP ITINERARY (draft)

Day 1 - Sunday 14th December

LGW – Friedrichshafen 08:25 – 11:05

11:05 – Arrival at Friedrichshafen Airport

Drinks Reception & Site of airport

12:30 – Transfer to St Anton

14:00 – Check-in to hotel/Activity

Day 2 – Monday 15th December

Breakfast

Xx:xx Ski Activity in St Anton

Xx:xx Transfer St. Anton -> Davos

16:00 -17:00 Arrival Hotel Davos

18:30 -19:00 Uhr Dinner at InterContinental Davos Resort&Spa (Opened in December 2013)

Day 3 – Tuesday 16th December

08:30 Transfer Hotel –> Icefield

ca. 09:00 Ice stock sport/curling

ca. 11:00 Transfer back to the hotel and then

12:00 Transfer to FDH

16:02 Catamaran (Ferry) to the Christmas market in Konstanz

17:00 – 19:02 Christmas Markets

19:02 or 21:02 Transfer back with the Catamaran back to FDH

Night in FDH Best Western Goldenes Rad

Day 4 – Wednesday 17th December

07:30 Breakfast in the hotel

08:00 Transfer to Innsbruck

12:50 – 13:45 Flight back Innsbruck – London Gatwick