What Mont Blanc Hélicoptères does

Mont Blanc Hélicoptères is a French commercial helicopter operator organized under HBG France (Société Anonyme, headquartered in Annemasse, France) that provides passenger transport, emergency medical services, pilot training, and helicopter maintenance across France, Switzerland, French Polynesia, Africa, and French Guiana. The company operates a fleet of 30+ single and twin-engine helicopters from Airbus (H125/AS350, H135, H145, AS355, AS365), Leonardo (AW109, AW139), Robinson (R22, R44), and Guimbal (Cabri G2), deployed across 20+ bases for scenic tourist flights, VIP transfers, gourmet restaurant flights, heliski operations, pilot initiation, and corporate events.

The business is vertically integrated across four pillars: (1) consumer and corporate flight services sold direct-to-consumer via the heligo.aero booking platform and via B2B sales (per-seat pricing €199–€399, per-private-helicopter €590–€1,999); (2) the MBH SAMU subsidiary operating 12 dedicated emergency medical bases with 20 helicopters, 4,500+ relief operations and 4,000+ flight hours per year under government contract; (3) FHATO, a QUALIOPI-certified helicopter pilot training school offering PPL(H), CPL(H), and type ratings across multiple EASA-certified models; and (4) one of the world's largest independent EASA Part 145 MRO operations with 5 facilities covering component, engine, and airframe maintenance.

Revenue mechanics span transaction fees (tourist flights, VIP transfers, gourmet flights, heliski, skier pick-up, pilot initiation, corporate events), professional services (pilot training, MRO for third parties), and managed services (long-term SAMU contracts with French hospitals). The company holds Air Operator Certificate CTA FR.AOC.0039, EASA Part 145/Part M/CAMO certifications, DGAC training approvals, and OEM-level partnerships with Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo, Robinson, and Safran. Distribution relies on direct online booking, ski resort referral partnerships (Courchevel, Les Arcs, Avoriaz, Megève, Chamonix, Verbier, St Moritz), and luxury hotel partnerships (Jiva Hill, Four Seasons).

Name

Mont Blanc Hélicoptères

Legal name

HBG FRANCE

Website

https://mbh.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Mont Blanc Hélicoptères is a French commercial helicopter operator under HBG France, running 30+ aircraft across 20+ bases in France, Switzerland and overseas to provide scenic flights, VIP transfers, SAMU medical transport, pilot training, and EASA Part 145 maintenance.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Helicopter passenger transport and aerial services

NAICS

Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation (481211), Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation (481219), Other Support Activities for Air Transportation (488190)

SIC

Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522)

akta.pro primary industry

Helicopter Charter & Sightseeing (TLAFABAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Helicopter Sightseeing & Scenic Tours (TLAFACAD), On-Demand Helicopter Charter (Private/Corporate) (TLAFACAB), Helicopter Resort & Remote Destination Transfers (TLAFACAF), Scenic & Sightseeing Helicopter Tours (THABAGAE), VIP/Executive Helicopter Transport (THABAGAH)

Keywords

• Helicopter passenger transport
• Scenic helicopter flights
• VIP helicopter transfers
• Emergency medical helicopter services
• Helicopter pilot training

Headquarters

HQ city

Dach

HQ country

Russia

HQ region

Europe

Offices19 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Panoramic Tourist Flights: Scenic helicopter flights over Mont Blanc, French Alps, Golfe du Morbihan, and other regions. Sold per seat or per private helicopter with pricing varying by duration and route.
2. VIP Transfer Services: Private helicopter taxi and transfer services for business or personal travel between cities, airports, ski resorts, and other destinations. Premium pricing for exclusivity.
3. Gourmet Flights: Heli-gastronomy experiences dropping passengers at renowned or Michelin-starred restaurants. Combined aerial and culinary experience.
4. Corporate Events: B2B helicopter experiences for company events, seminars, team-building, and employee rewards. Minimum 15-30 participants with customizable packages.
5. Pilot Training (FHATO): Helicopter flight school offering PPL(H), CPL(H), type ratings, and instructor training. QUALIOPI-certified for government-funded training subsidies.
6. Maintenance Services: EASA Part 145 maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for own fleet and third-party operators. Component, engine MRO, customization, and spare parts supply.
7. Medical Transport (SAMU): Emergency medical helicopter transport services for hospitals and healthcare systems. 12 dedicated SAMU bases operating 365 days per year.
8. Heli-skiing: Off-piste skiing experiences with helicopter drop-off in Switzerland and Italy, operated through subsidiary Eagle Valais and Italian partners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Mont Blanc Hélicoptères operates a 30+ helicopter fleet across 20+ bases in France, Switzerland, and overseas territories providing passenger helicopter services including panoramic tourist flights over Mont Blanc and other scenic sites, VIP and taxi transfers, gourmet restaurant flights, pilot initiation experiences, heliskiing, and skier pickup. Beyond passenger transport, the company delivers emergency medical helicopter services (MBH SAMU), mountain rescue operations, EASA-certified pilot training through FHATO, and EASA Part 145 maintenance/MRO services for its own fleet and third-party operators.

Product overview

Mont Blanc Hélicoptères operates as part of HBG France Helicopter Group, offering a comprehensive fleet of 30+ single and twin-engine helicopters deployed across bases in France, Switzerland, French Polynesia, Africa, and French Guiana. The company provides diverse helicopter services including panoramic/tourist flights (Mont Blanc tours, regional scenic flights), VIP/taxi transfers, gourmet restaurant flights, pilot initiation experiences, skier pick-up, heliskiing, mountain rescue, SAMU medical emergency services (with 12 bases, 20 dedicated helicopters, 4,500+ relief operations annually), EASA-certified flight training through FHATO (PPL-H, CPL-H, type ratings), and EASA Part 145 maintenance services. The fleet includes Airbus models (H125/AS350, AS355, AS365, H135, H145), Leonardo models (AW109, AW139), Robinson models (R22, R44), and Guimbal Cabri G2, accommodating various mission requirements from passenger transport to aerial work, medical transport, and flight training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MBH SAMU: Emergency medical helicopter services subsidiary providing hélismur operations, mountain rescue, and medical transfers across 12 bases in France.

Products and services

• Panoramic Tourist Flights Scenic helicopter flights offering aerial views of Mont Blanc, the Alps, Golfe du Morbihan, castles near Paris, and other destinations across France and Switzerland, available in durations from 10 to 50 minutes and sold per seat or as a private whole helicopter.
• VIP / Taxi Helicopter Transfers Private helicopter transfer services for business or personal travel, providing fast transportation to airports, ski resorts, and destinations across France and Europe, bypassing traffic for time-sensitive executive and VIP travel.
• Gourmet Flights (Vols Gourmands) Helicopter transportation service that drops passengers directly at renowned or Michelin-starred restaurants, combining aerial views with culinary experiences (meal cost not included).
• Pilot Initiation Flights (Vol Initiation) Introductory helicopter piloting experiences where passengers receive theoretical briefing and hands-on flight instruction with a professional pilot instructor, discovering the sensations of flying a helicopter.
• Skier Pickup (Reprise Skieurs) Off-piste skier recovery service using helicopters to pick up skiers after their descent and transport them to their next destination at mountain ski resorts.
• Héliski (Heli-skiing) Off-piste skiing experiences with helicopter drop-off at mountain summits in Switzerland and Italy, providing access to pristine powder snow and glacier terrain with professional guides.
• MBH SAMU Emergency Medical Services Emergency medical helicopter services operating 365 days per year with 12 bases across France, providing hospital transfers, emergency response, and night flight operations with medical teams (20 dedicated helicopters, 4,500+ relief operations annually).
• Mountain Rescue Services Emergency helicopter rescue operations in mountain environments, including medical air rescue, avalanche intervention (PIDA plans), and slope safety services at ski resorts (50,000+ rescue operations since 1990).
• FHATO Flight Training EASA-certified helicopter pilot training programs including Private Pilot Licence (PPL-H), Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL-H), Type Ratings, and instructor qualifications, with QUALIOPI certification enabling students to access government training subsidies.
• EASA Part 145 Helicopter Maintenance / MRO Services EASA Part 145 certified maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for own fleet and third-party operators, covering component maintenance, engine MRO, customization (VIP, EMS, Corporate), paint work, avionics, composites, and spare parts supply.
• Corporate Events Helicopter Services Helicopter services for corporate events including employee flights, company parties, restaurant transfers, team-building experiences, and client entertainment, with minimum 15-30 participants and customizable packages.
• Event Aerial Photography / Aerial Work Aerial photography and helicopter services for major sporting and cultural events including Tour de France, Formula 1 Grand Prix de France, Paris-Dakar, and Paris-Roubaix, plus general aerial work.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50,000+ rescue operations since 1990
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Airbus HelicopterscoreTechnology or IntegrationHelicopter manufacturer partnership for fleet procurement (H125, H135, H145, AS350, AS355, AS365). MBH is a Seller PBH (Purchase By the Hour) partner for Airbus helicopters.
• Leonardo HelicopterscoreTechnology or IntegrationHelicopter manufacturer partnership for fleet procurement (AW109, AW139). Italian manufacturer of medium-heavy helicopters used for VIP and EMS operations.
• Robinson Helicopter CompanycoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for piston-engine training helicopters (R22, R44) used in pilot initiation and flight school operations.
• Safran Helicopter EnginescoreTechnology or IntegrationEngine manufacturer partnership. MBH is a Seller for Safran (Arriel 2E) engines and AHF/AHD spare parts supplier. H145 D2/D3 equipped with Arriel 2E engines.
• DGAC (Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile)coreOthersFrench civil aviation authority partnership for regulatory compliance, air operator certification (CTA FR.AOC.0039), and approved training organization status.
• SwiftCopters (Geneva)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSwiss operational partner for Geneva airport base, providing panoramic flights over Mont Blanc, Matterhorn, and Lake Geneva region.
• Eagle Valais (Swiss Subsidiary)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWholly-owned Swiss subsidiary for heliski operations in Switzerland. Sion-based operation handling off-piste ski drop-offs in Valais region.
• Ski Resorts Partnership NetworkmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnerships with major French and Swiss ski resorts including: Portes du Soleil (Avoriaz), Paradiski (Les Arcs), Grand Massif, Espace Diamant, Chamonix, Les 3 Vallées (Courchevel), Méribel, Val d'Isère, Val Thorens, Verbier (Switzerland), St Moritz (Switzerland), Gstaad (Switzerland).
• Luxury Hotels Partnership NetworkminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnerships with luxury hotels including Jiva Hill Resort 5-star, L'Estrato, Four Seasons, and Manon Petit/black-crows for VIP guest services.
• Hébergements de France (HDF)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with HDF for Prechac base operations (Pyrenees), providing helicopter services to Hébergements de France properties and Lourdes region.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Air Glaciers: Swiss helicopter operator based in Sion offering scenic flights, heliski, rescue, and charter across the Swiss Alps — direct competitor in the Alpine tourist/charter segment with overlapping fleet (AS350, EC130) and customer base at premium resorts.
• Heli-Union: French helicopter services group operating passenger transport, offshore crew change, MRO, and training across France and international markets — closely comparable multi-service helicopter platform with overlapping EASA Part 145 MRO and training operations.
• Hélicoptères de France (HDF): French helicopter operator covering Gap, Pyrenees, and Maurienne with tourist, VIP, and rescue services — direct competitor and current MBH operational partner at Prechac base, with overlapping Pyrenees/Southern Alps geographic footprint.
• Alpine Helicopters (Switzerland): Swiss helicopter operator specializing in mountain rescue, scenic flights, and VIP transfers across Switzerland — direct Swiss-Alpine competitor with comparable fleet mix and customer segments.
• SwiftCopters: Geneva-based helicopter operator partnered with MBH for the Geneva airport base — direct competitor/partner offering panoramic flights over Mont Blanc, Matterhorn, and Lake Geneva with overlapping Swiss-Alpine scenic product.
• SAF Helicopteres: French helicopter operator based in Le Cannet (Côte d'Azur) offering VIP, tourist, training, and MRO services — comparable multi-service French helicopter operator with Mediterranean/Alps footprint overlap.
• Lynx Helicopters: French helicopter operator offering tourist flights, VIP transfers, and training — smaller but comparable French helicopter services platform with similar consumer-direct booking model.
• Heliconia: Swiss helicopter operator offering tourist flights, transfers, and heliski across Switzerland — direct Swiss-Alpine competitor with comparable fleet and experience-product positioning.

Emerging players

• Blue Hawaiian Helicopters: Largest US scenic helicopter tour operator (Hawaii) — relevant comparable for premium tourist-flights business model and direct-to-consumer booking flow, though geographically distinct.
• Blade (BLADE Air Mobility): Urban air mobility platform aggregating helicopter/charter/seaplane bookings across NYC, LA, Europe, India — adjacent platform competitor targeting the same VIP/experience consumer with a digital marketplace model that could eventually overlap with MBH's heligo.aero booking flow.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mont-blanc-helicopteres

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mont Blanc Hélicoptères