FLEDGLING Swiss airline Powdair has unveiled plans to fly skiers from Southend Airport twice a week.

According to a post on Twitter, the airline – which is dedicated to those who love to ski – will launch flights to Sion Airport, in Switzerland, from December. It currently doubles as both a civilian and military airport, and is just two miles from nearest ski lift.

The company claims its flights will dramatically cut transfer times, and in turn the cost, for skiers who want to get to the slopes quickly.

The afternoon flights on Thursday and Saturday will ensure holidaymakers can arrive in time for dinner at their chosen ski resort.

The Financial Times reported earlier this year that its first flights will be operated by Trade Air, a Croatian airline, while Powdair pursues its own Air Operator Certificate.

Southend Airport insists no firm decision has been made.

A spokesman said: “We are talking to a number of airlines about the possibility of commencing services to and from Southend Airport.

“Once we have any announcements to make on new routes, we’ll let you know right away.”

A Powdair spokesman said further destinations could be launched in the future. He added: “It’s great news that Powdair has announced Southend Airport as one of its destinations.

“One of the reasons was the fact that the team at Powdair had a lot of feedback about where the airline should fly into and out of in the UK and Southend was a popular choice.

“There’s a large catchment of skiers and snowboarders within reach of the airport as well as obviously being well located to the east of London.”

“In regards to more flights in the future, right now this is the schedule but plans to extend that are being considered.”

The Echo revealed last week that you could soon be sipping on a pint of Guinness in Dublin in just over an hour. It is rumoured that flights will soon be relaunched from Southend Airport to Dublin.

Stobart Air, which owns Southend Airport, is said to be in charge of operating the service and will base two Embraer E195 jets at Southend to provide the new Flybe service, according to the Irish Independent.

The route was originally cancelled in March 2015, when the budget airline claimed that passenger numbers were below the predicted figures. Stobart Air declined to comment.