Zurich: Spanair has announced the launch of flights from Zurich in Switzerland to the Spanish cities of Barcelona and Madrid.

The airline will offer two return flights from Madrid to Zurich on all week days. Spanair also announced a single return flight from Barcelona, aimed at mainly business travellers, the airline announced on Saturday.

Spanair, a member of the Star alliance, said with the new routes, it aims to rope in more business and holiday passengers as it steps up its presence in the European sector.

Spanair said it already had flights operating to other European cities from Madrid and Barcelona.

The new routes have been launched as per a code sharing arrangement with Swiss International Air Lines, Spanair CEO Lars Nygaard told reporters.

Spanair plans to use a 125-seater MD87 aircraft for the Madrid-Zurich flights, with Economy and Avant classes.

Spanair has also roped in Swiss International airlines to synchronize their Frequent Flyer Programmes, which will benefit passengers in the routes operated by these airlines.

The pact also gives passengers access to VIP lounges in Spain as well as Switzerland and a single check-in and single ticket option for passengers’ final destination on break journeys.

Spanair said reservations are available by phone on Spanair Central Reservations at 902 13 14 15. Bookings can also be done through its web site: http://www.spanair.com/

Spanair operates 600 flights a day to 150 destinations and has a fleet share of 64 aircraft.

Spanair became a member of Star alliance to avail code sharing benefits from April 1, 2003.