Chambéry airport is one year in to a (very) long term multi-million Euro upgrade programme and passengers going through the airport are already starting to notice improvements according to its main user, Crystal Holidays, who have analysed customer feedback.
The UK's largest tour operator are obviously pleased about that as they've announced new direct services to the French ski airport (full official title: Chambéry Savoie Mont Blanc Airport) from Exeter, Doncaster Sheffield and Luton next winter. These add to the 15 regional UK airports including Gatwick, Manchester, Glasgow, Bristol and Dublin Crystal already fly in from with up to 20 flights a week bringing in around 30,000 Brits each winter.
Chambéry is a little closer to some of the big name resorts in the French Alps, particularly the 3 Valleys, than Geneva but perhaps more importantly it's usually an easy transfer from there as there's not much happening most weekends except the airport in the region, whilst Geneva struggles to cope with the hundreds of thousands of people in the area each weekend.
Chambéry however has struggled with the opposite problem, having very little business except on winter weekends and so having limited facilities and staff to cope as demand has quickly grown – not just from the UK but also, to a lesser extent, ski flights from countries like Sweden and Russia.
It's limited check in facilities, catering, toilets and two luggage belts were stretched as up to 50 flights started arriving with 13,000 travellers passing through during a winter weekend.
But the start of a 10 million Euro investment (over 16 years!) by the airport's owners saw a revised queuing system, improved check-in facilities and a reorganised passport control and security flow which, according to Crystal's customer feedback, has been noted by skiers who have ranked the airport more highly in feedback.
The tour ops says that the number who scored their airport experience as 'good' or 'excellent' is up 10% on winter 15-16.
"We always strive to improve our customers' experience and are delighted that reviewing our flying programme coupled with the work our partners at Chambéry Savoie Mont Blanc Airport have done, has made a 10% change for the better," said Nial McLean who is General Manager France, Switzerland and Andorra for Crystal Ski Holidays, "Together, we are now providing a good platform for a stress-free start and end to our customers' ski holiday and will continue to improve even more in the next few years."
(Image Credit: Chambéry Airport Improved and Samy Chardon)