The Sky is the Limit

What makes the company so special, in your opinion?

Several factors make our company very special. 

Air Zermatt has become a brand that stands for Swiss quality. Mainly in the rescue domain but certainly also the incredible quality in the maintenance of our helicopters thanks to our in-house maintenance. Many different professions come together – from medical staff to technical and administrative professions, which generates an incredible exchange of know-how. The disciplines must be able to work together, requiring a certain basic knowledge or understanding of all other domains. 

During the year, we experience fluctuating demand; hence, times may be very intense. Our staff is then strained, and what you need is reliable, efficient, and accordingly fitting people. Whoever works here must have an extraordinary passion for the cause and a will to work hard during high times; otherwise, you’re in the wrong place.

Even though the company has grown continuously, it remains very familiar, and people know each other and cross paths outside work. Many great young new people bring fresh wind into the company and are also offered the opportunity. Again, Air Zermatt can proudly count on long-time employees who have incomparable value for the company. Not only the company benefits from the cooperation of the generations, but also the people themselves because experience and knowledge intersect with new ideas and new ambition. It is inspiring, offers employees countless opportunities to implement changes, and avoids knowledge gaps. Our culture is open, family-like and the purpose of the whole organisation is to do good, and that is what we are all here for every day – you don’t find that kind of connection to work just like that anymore.

Another very important and interesting fact is the efficiency and resource allocation Air Zermatt implemented. In today’s world, the debate about resources is important. If you look at companies financed by the state or benefactors, efficiency is simply non-existent. Mixed operations, as found at Air Zermatt AG and Air-Glaciers SA, are probably one of the most efficient systems in aviation. Since resources have to be deployed in the right place, the entire process, from planning to implementation, is at a very high level of efficiency and correct resource allocation. The wide deployment of our pilots generates indirect training for sharp missions in challenging terrain with every flight. Capital flows to the right place, resources are appropriately deployed, and thus quality and safety are ensured. This is a simple economic principle that is lost by state-owned companies that are financed by the public purse. 

Can you tell us your favourite highlights of the Air Zermatt facilities, aircraft and journeys?

After close to 40 years of working for one company, it’s hard to pick a single highlight, and I find the whole journey of the company awe-inspiring rather than just one highlight itself. During my time as a pilot of Air Zermatt, I had the privilege to fly many different types of helicopters such as Puma, Lama and today, the powerful AS350, B3, and the Bell 429. Each one of these machines has its appeal and contributes to the experience and learning curve. Likewise, we were served many unbelievable opportunities to fly worldwide. Whether firefighting in Portugal, flying in the Indian and Nepali Himalayas or somewhere in the United States, Africa or anywhere else in the world– Air Zermatt as a company had huge impacts all over the world, and it was and still is fascinating being part of it all. 

Tell us about the current Air Zermatt team and the latest offerings?

Currently, Air Zermatt AG employs about 75 people at its three bases in Zermatt, Raron and Gampel. Both the fleet and the personnel are consistently adapted to the needs of the operation. At present, however, a somewhat cautious attitude towards job applications is noticeable in our ranks, just like in the whole job market. Nevertheless, we are very well positioned and can rely on our excellent staff. 

We continue to be at the forefront of innovation, evident in our latest investment, the VRM Simulator. It is used for customer and internal training purposes and is one of the exciting technological advancements in the aviation market. 

The innovative spirit of the previous generation is still anchored in Air Zermatt’s philosophy. For example, employees of Air Zermatt have developed a new system for changing aircraft warning spheres on high-voltage power lines, which is now being successfully implemented. Beat Perren is also still full of energy and ideas and has recently developed a new system for fighting fires, which has now also been certified.

Air Zermatt is working relentlessly on creating offers to meet the demand and adapt to new regulations without losing profitability which is indispensable for a private company. Thereby, a broad portfolio of offerings has been established over the years. 

What are the most important things for clients when using Air Zermatt, and how do you factor this into the overall experience?

No matter how you use the offerings of Air Zermatt, the weather is a deciding factor. Whether it is a sightseeing or taxi flight, commercial flight or rescue mission, a certain amount of flexibility is required regarding the weather. During courses in the Training Center, the program needs to be adapted from time to time – helicopters may be withdrawn from commercial or touristic flights for urgent rescue missions. However, if you can stay adaptable, you will undoubtedly get the best out of the experience.

Thanks to the efficiency of our resources, our company can adapt instantaneously to all upcoming circumstances. The focus remains on the rescue service, which is always treated with the highest priority. What other rescue companies cannot offer is the number of deployable rescue means that can be provided in the shortest possible time. For the rescue service in the canton of Valais, this is an incredible quality factor that many people are unaware of. However, this enormous benefit for the local population and the people visiting our area presupposes a certain amount of understanding of our work and the background of the company. Even if the plan is changed at short notice, the Air Zermatt dispatch will do everything in its power to find a suitable solution for all customers.

Following the credo “the sky is the limit” or, in many cases, “the jurisdiction is the limit”, a wide range of customer wishes can be fulfilled through the broad product portfolio of Air Zermatt.

Have you seen a difference in how people use aircraft over the years? And if so, how?

Of course, there are many different ways people are using our aircraft. Depending on the situation, the utilisation relates to a recreational experience, education or, in many cases, out of necessity. The sentiments ranging from pure happiness to tragedy are part of our daily business; you will see all kinds of emotional states in one day at our bases. 

Naturally, this also changes each individual relationship with our company. For some, it is a life-saving remedy or a practical and helpful solution; for others, we provide an unforgettable moment. The variety of our customers is ridiculous, which makes it even more interesting to work here. 

Of course, the challenge is ensuring that employees can deal with these emotions. Although most people who have flown in one of our helicopters are delighted and happy, some can cause problems, especially “afterwards”. Patients who deny payments, deliberately give false information, take the rescue missions for granted and are not even aware of their own mistakes – this can be very frustrating for our team.

Have you seen an increase in the number of people wanting to train to become pilots at the Air Zermatt training school?

Training for pilots has always been in high demand, which is why we have our own flight school offering advanced courses such as mountain training and type ratings. Our newest addition in the ATO is the Type rating for the Bell 429 – a novelty in Switzerland, which has increased demand once again. 

Overall, the demand for pilots’ training has certainly increased over the last decades. Through the newest investment with our VRM Simulator, it might be even less cost intensive for new pilots in the future and hence increase demand even more.