Universal Aviation Samedan

Universal Aviation coordinates ground handling at Samedan Airport, Europe's highest-elevation commercial airport at 5,600 feet above sea level and the exclusive gateway to St. Moritz by air. The airport handles only private jets and general aviation, with no scheduled airline service, meaning the entire facility is oriented toward business aviation clients.

The single terminal and FBO provide Jet A fuel, deicing services, international customs clearance, and ground handling. Universal Aviation manages all third-party arrangements through their established network of local service providers, drawing on their 30-plus year presence in Switzerland and Europe.

Samedan's 1,800-meter runway can accommodate long-range business jets including Gulfstreams, Globals, and Dassault Falcons operating at full fuel loads, which means nonstop flights from North America, the Middle East, and other distant origins can land directly. However, the high elevation and surrounding mountain topography make operations highly weather-dependent. The approach requires specially trained and certified pilots, and diversions to Zurich or other lower-altitude airports are not uncommon during periods of cloud, snow, or poor visibility.

Operating hours follow a seasonal schedule: summer runs from 8:00 to 19:00 local time, while winter hours extend from 8:00 until the end of evening civil twilight. The winter season from December through March drives the majority of traffic, as St. Moritz's ski slopes, luxury hotels, and social calendar attract private jet visitors from across the globe.

St. Moritz is about a 15-minute drive from the airport through the Upper Engadin valley. For charter passengers willing to accept the weather variability, Samedan delivers an arrival experience unlike any other in Europe: a high Alpine valley, dramatic mountain scenery in every direction, and a short transfer to one of the world's most exclusive winter resorts.