Skyguide to lower its Geneva and Zurich approach charges with effect from 1 October

30 september 2011 skyguide / Skyguide to lower its Geneva and Zurich approach charges with effect from 1 October . Processed and transmitted by Thomson Reuters ONE. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Geneva, 30 September 2011. Skyguide, Switzerland's air navigation service provider, is to reduce the approach charges it levies for Geneva and Zurich airports with effect from 1 October. The new charges will apply to all flights by aircraft of over five tonnes, except visual flight rules (VFR) training flights conducted with aircraft of up to 30 tonnes. Lower approach charges in 2011 and 2012 The new Geneva and Zurich approach charges which will apply from 1 October onwards are around 9% lower than those presently in force. In full-year terms, skyguide's 2011 approach charges will thus be some 2.3% lower than those of 2010. A further reduction in approach charges of around 3% is envisaged for 2012. The lower approach charges will benefit around 92% of all the traffic arriving at Geneva and Zurich airports. They will not apply to light aviation (aircraft of 1 to 5 tonnes) or to training flights with aircraft of up to 30 tonnes operating under visual flight rules, for which special charges will continue to apply until further notice. "Postage Stamp Principle" abolished Skyguide's reduction of its present Geneva and Zurich approach charges is a direct consequence of the revision last year of Switzerland's Federal Aviation Act. The revised legislation provides for the creation of different categories of aerodrome. The international airports of Zurich and Geneva form one category, while all other Swiss airports and aerodromes with air traffic services form another. The differences between the two categories include the methods used to calculate the corresponding air traffic services charges. And this in turn means the abolition of the previous Postage Stamp Principle, under which the same approach charges were levied for all Swiss airports and aerodromes. The approach charges at Switzerland's regional aerodromes remain unchanged. But the current cost underrecovery here will now be partially offset by a newly- created Air Traffic Services Special Financing Facility. skyguide swiss air navigation services ltd media relations CH-1215 Geneva 15 Contact: phone:     +41 22 417 4008 email:     presse@skyguide.ch internet:  www.skyguide.ch Skyguide is responsible for providing air navigation services within Swiss airspace and in the airspace of certain adjoining regions in neighbouring countries. The company guides the civil and military aircraft entrusted to its care - around 3 170 flights a day or 1.16 million a year - through the busiest and most complex airspace in Europe. Skyguide is a non-profit limited company which has its head office in Geneva. The majority of its shares are held by the Swiss Confederation. The company generated total operating revenue of over CHF 365 million last year, and employs some 1 400 people at 14 locations in Switzerland. Skyguide is also a member, together with its partner organisations in Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, of the FABEC initiative to create a common functional airspace block that will bring greater efficiency to Central Europe's air traffic management services and activities. The media release can be downloaded from the following link: --- End of Message --- skyguide Postfach 1518 Zürich-Flughafen Switzerland WKN: 1957462;ISIN: CH0019574620; Media release (PDF): http://hugin.info/134388/R/1551246/477745.pdf This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of Thomson Reuters clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that: (i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and other applicable laws; and (ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. Source: skyguide via Thomson Reuters ONE [HUG#1551246]