Geneva International Airport

Geneva International Airport (IATA: GVA, ICAO: LSGG), commonly known as Cointrin Airport, is an airport serving Geneva, Switzerland. It is located 4 km (2.5 mi) northwest^[1] of the city centre and has direct connections to motorways, bus lines and railways (SBB-CFF-FFS). Its northern limit runs along the Swiss-French border and the airport can be accessed from both countries. Passengers on flights to or from France do not have to go through Swiss customs and immigration controls if they remain in the French sector of the airport. The freight operations are also accessible from both countries, making Geneva a European Union freight hub although Switzerland is not a member of the EU. The airport is partially located within the commune of Meyrin and partially in the commune of Grand-Saconnex.^[2][3]

The airport has a single concrete runway, which is the longest in Switzerland with a length of 3,900 m (12,795 ft), and a smaller, parallel, grass runway for light aircraft. It is a major hub for EasyJet Switzerland and Flybaboo, a lesser hub for Swiss International Air Lines and the former hub of Swiss World Airways, which ceased operations in 1998. Geneva International Airport has extensive convention facilities and hosts an office of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the world headquarters of Airports Council International (ACI).

In 2010, the airport served 11,785,522 passengers and 177,401 aircraft movements.^[4]

Airlines and destinations

Passenger Airlines

Cargo Airlines

Other facilities

The airline Baboo had its head office on the grounds of the airport and in Grand-Saconnex.^[5][6]

Ground connections

The airport is 4 km (2.5 mi)^[1] from the Geneva city centre. There is a railway station with trains to Geneva-Cornavin station, and other cities in Switzerland. There are local buses that stop at the airport. There are also buses to and from Annecy, France, and also seasonal buses to ski resort Chamonix in France and ski resorts in Switzerland.

Winter weekends see dozens of coaches at the nearby Charter terminal (former cargo terminal) meeting charter flights from all over Europe, but primarily the UK. These take holidaymakers to/from ski resorts in France, Switzerland & Italy.

Before passing through customs, machines dispense free 80 minute tickets for Transports Publics Genevois, which are valid for both the city buses and trains to Geneva.

Incidents and accidents

• in 1950, Air India Flight 245, a Lockheed Constellation, crashed into Mont Blanc while descending toward Geneva.
• In 1966, a very similar accident occurred when Air India Flight 101, a Boeing 707, crashed into Mont Blanc while descending toward Geneva.
• On July 23, 1987 a hijacker was arrested by Swiss authorities on board an Air Afrique DC-10 after the plane had landed at Geneva to refuel. One passenger was shot and killed by the hijacker before he was overpowered by the crew prior to the plane being stormed by the authorities. 1 crew member and 3 other passengers were injured during the incident.
• On 2 September 1998, Swissair Flight 111, bound for Geneva International Airport from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, New York, crashed off of the coast of Nova Scotia due to an in-flight fire originating from the wiring in the plane. All of the 229 passengers and crew died.

Other facts of interest

• The old airport building, located next to the current building, is shown in The Adventures of Tintin story "The Calculus Affair."

References

External links

• Geneva International Airport
• Map showing access to French car hire
• DPTS, The Geneva Aviation Website with regularly updated news