Turbo-props fill the gap between pistons and entry-level jets. Six to nine seats, range around 1,000 to 1,800 nautical miles, and short-field capability that opens smaller Swiss and European airports to passengers who want more range and cabin comfort than a piston provides.
Typical Aircraft
The King Air 90, King Air 200, and King Air 350 cover most of the working turboprop charter fleet. The Pilatus PC-12 and the Piaggio Avanti II are also frequently available, particularly in the European market where both are well-represented in the charter fleet. The PC-12 in particular is a Swiss-built aircraft with strong availability throughout Europe.
When Turbo-Props Fit the Switzerland Trip
Short regional hops within Switzerland, access to smaller European airports without jet-capable runways, and trips to the French Alps or northern Italy where a light jet is more than needed. The King Air 350 is a practical choice for groups that want a pressurized cabin at lower cost than an entry-level jet on legs under 800 nautical miles. The Pilatus PC-12 is a common choice for accessing smaller Alpine airstrips.
Vetting Behind Every Trip
Every operator, aircraft, and crew goes through our internal due diligence before we present any options. Our internal standards meet or exceed what the FAA requires:
- FAR Part 135 charter operators for traditional private aircraft, or FAR Part 121 for airliner-size and group trips (or the foreign equivalent on international legs)
- Operator subscription to Wyvern and ARGUS reviewed where the operator participates; reports may be provided on request.
- Pilot experience and operator incident history reviewed before we recommend an aircraft.
- Fewer than 60 brokers worldwide hold Premium Wyvern Broker Member status, and Air Charter Advisors is one of them.
Switzerland-Specific Patterns We Plan Around
Ski season runs December through March and drives the sharpest demand spikes we see. Samedan airport (serving St. Moritz) and Bern-Belp (serving the Bernese Oberland, including Grindelwald) handle mountain transfers; book early for January and February. The World Economic Forum in Davos each January compresses Zurich-area availability significantly. Art Basel in June is the Basel demand window. For summer events such as the Locarno Film Festival and the Montreux Jazz Festival, advance notice on aircraft gives us more routing options.
Contact
For a quote on a Switzerland charter, head to our contact page. For the safety and vetting work behind every trip, see our safety page, and the full aircraft gallery for cross-category options. The National Business Aviation Association sets the broader operating standards we work within.