As a gateway to the Alps, Aéroports de Lyon will play a major role in the set-up proposed by Annecy's bid.

Lyon-Saint Exupéry international airport and Lyon-Bron business airport can cater for eight million passengers, serve over 120 direct destinations and handle 7,200 business aviation movements each year.

The partnership agreement was signed by Edgar Grospiron, chief executive of Annecy 2018, Christian Monteil, chairman of the Annecy 2018 Supervisory Board, Jean-Luc Rigaut, Mayor of Annecy and co-President of Annecy 2018, Yves Guyon, chairman of the Aéroports de Lyon Board of Administrators, and Philippe Bernand, CEO of Aéroports de Lyon.

"Having a French international airport close to the proposed venues for the Olympic events is a key asset for our bid, with interconnections both to the motorway network and an on-site high speed train, serving the entire country, as well as Italy, Germany and Spain," said Grospiron.

Guyon said: "Aéroports de Lyon are delighted to have this opportunity to play an active role in Annecy's bid to host the 2018 Olympic Games.

"Our fully intermodal airport is truly the fastest gateway to the Alps.

"As a major player in Rhône-Alpes regional development, we shall spare no efforts in actively supporting Annecy 2018 and promoting the bid with our passengers."

Annecy is facing rivals Munich and Pyeongchang with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) due to choose the host city at its Session in Durban on July 6, 2011.

Monteil said: "Aéroports de Lyon's decision to back the Annecy bid for the 2018 Games is a reflection of the immense regional support the bid is receiving from the economic sector.

"We are fortunate to have an airport with such an extensive outreach just 80 minutes away."


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