2018 is a special year for Air Zermatt as it celebrates its 50th anniversary since its founding in 1968.
The red and white starred helicopters are known throughout the world for their competence and experience. As well as saving those in troubles on the mountains, the company also offers tourist flights, transfers and commercial transportation around the resort.
Open Days – May 2018
The anniversary was celebrated with two open days on 19 and 20 May 2018 based at the Raron heliport in the valley floor near Visp.
Visitors were treated with a mix of activities on the ground and in the air including demonstrations, sightseeing flights, a flight simulator and an exhibition.
https://youtu.be/J7btNJBxNDQ
The founding of Air Zermatt
Air Zermatt was founded in 1968 with the main aim of providing rapid assistance to injured and sick people in the mountains, as it often took too long or was too difficult to send a helicopter from Sion.
The first helicopter was an Agusta-Bell 206A Jet Ranger which made its first rescue operation of a child with a broken leg within a few days of operation.
The first helicopter with a rescue winch
In 1969, an Alouette III SA3160, equipped with a rescue winch, was added and the Air Zermatt helicopters were mobilised throughout Switzerland to provide assistance.
In September 1970, pilots Günther Amann and Sigi Stangier staged a stunning rescue on the steep and dangerous North Face of the Eiger.
Photo (c) Air Zermatt
Schilthorn cable car rescue
In the winter of 1972, for the first time in the history of helicopter rescues, Air Zermatt evacuated 72 passengers from the Schilthorn cable car, 240m above the ground.
Photo (c) Air Zermatt
Tackling forest fires
Huge forest fires in the Valais in the early 1970s led Air Zermatt to become the first helicopter company in Switzerland to develop methods for extinguishing fires from the air.
A 700 litre container was designed to be able to collect and subsequently drop water and this innovation has proved to be extremely effective in fighting forest fires.
Photo (c) Air Zermatt
The locations of Air Zermatt
As the number of flights increased, Air Zermatt needed a second base and in 1979 opened the Raron base in the Rhone valley. Today’s Raron heliport is now the largest of Air Zermatt’s three locations.
Transfers to Zermatt by helicopter
As well as use for rescue and with natural disasters, Air Zermatt’s helicopters are now used for transporting both people and commercial loads.
Whether for mountain huts, like the Capanna Regina Margherita at 4553m (80m higher than the summit of the Matterhorn!) or the Klein Matterhorn cable car, to the new 3S Bahn that’s under development today, Air Zermatt has been fundamental in their construction.
In May 2015, Air Zermatt added a Eurocopter EC 130 T2 (also known as the Airbus Helicopter H30) – a single-engine helicopter in which six passengers can enjoy a scenic flight around the mountains of the Valais.
There are currently nine helicopters in the fleet of Air Zermatt and these can be engaged in private transfers and emergency rescues. This winter they were fundamental in helping people out of the resort when it was cut off due to the extremely heavy snowfall.
If you’d like to use our concierge service to book private helicopter transfer into Zermatt, or are simply looking for luxury chalet accommodation in Switzerland’s premier resort, then please contact the Matterhorn Chalets team on +41 79 247 15 88
