Snoopy wrote:
I assume the 3+ ton fee is less due to indirect profitability?
That’s likely right. The info states that pax and parking fees are waived for an aircraft <3T. But the reality appears to be that they are just being added on to the restaurant and car rental charges. Appears to be a bit of a scam.
Well I could not make it to Lugano as weather was bad en-route in the Sion Valley but I got the chance to have some fun in the local area of Mt Blanc then back via Chambery to Toussus-le-Noble
At the end of the day I did not make it to Lugano, it was MVFR and Simplon pass had CB6000ft middle of the day, I could have flown direct at 12kft over the tops but got a passenger who was not keen on going high, we should have flown earlier in the day, it was ideal for 9000ft flying instead of spending 3h eating in restaurants 
At the end I settled for visiting Annemasse LFLI and touring MtBlanc via Chamonix, Bourg-StMaurice, Courmayeur, Aosta and back via Sion
I will get there one day (this is my 3rd attempt to go overflying Lugano & Lake Como 
) but thanks for the info
I assume the 3+ ton fee is less due to indirect profitability?
More details on the Lugano offer:
This is actually a very good time for a GA visit to Lugano, even if limited to VFR for almost all aircraft. As mentioned, special approval required for IFR.
After all airline service ceased, the responsible airport operator liquidated operations per end-May, I believe it was. A bit like going bankrupt except that they just gave all staff notice in good time and then terminated company operations. The airport is owned by the city, I believe.
Of course there are political interests to close the airport and use the spot for other uses, and there will likely be a vote on the subject in the near future. But the city stepped in to hire enough staff to keep the airport operating in the meantime and since there is no airline offering they are trying to raise revenue by encouraging GA, which was not the case previously.
This sheet has been distributed around Swiss airfields:
Lugano LSZA is still an Apt of Entry, so can be flown to/from anywhere direct, and has both Avgas and Jet A-1.
Thanks for the info, will be flying VFR to Lugano, from Toussus (LFPN) and adding customs stops in Annemasse then Sion via Simpson, which is not bad as it allow checking real weather on the ground rather than on the app
I’ve been there a couple of times. Stunning environment! I have always flew in VFR. There is a lot of glider activity in the area.
I came from Sion LSGS via the Simplon pass. There is a tiny bit of Italian airspace on that route. Make sure you file a flightplan otherwise you will be treated like a criminal
If you intend to fly there IFR you must have the LSZA IFR qualification.
It’s not difficult to obtain it see the link below:
https://www.luganoairport.ch/en/business-partners-2/flight-ground-operations/airport-qualification/
Pay attention at the notam, the new opening hours are:
Monday to Friday
from 08:00 to 12:00 and from 13:30 to 17:30
on Saturday and Sunday
from 08:30 to 12:00 and from 13:30 to 18:00
It is possible to ask for a PPR (24 hrs before) to operate the airport starting from 07:00 until 22:00 (you have to pay a supplement and it’s not cheap)
