What Swiss Helicopter Group AG does

Swiss Helicopter Group AG is a privately held, family-run Swiss holding company headquartered in Chur, Graubünden, that consolidates seven operating subsidiaries across three business divisions: Distribution (Europavia Suisse SA, the official Airbus Helicopters sales partner), Operations (Swiss Helicopter AG for passenger flights, transport, and flight training; Heliswiss International AG for worldwide heavy-lift and special missions; Eliticino-Tarmac SA for Ticino-region passenger flights), and Service (Swiss Helicopter Maintenance AG for Part-145 maintenance and CAMO; TUAG as the official Safran Helicopter Engines representative; and Swiss Helicopter Engineering AG for certification work). The group employs approximately 250 people across 21 locations in Switzerland and Europe, with the largest operating subsidiary (Swiss Helicopter AG) running 34 helicopters from 15 Swiss and Liechtenstein bases. Its technology stack is built on comprehensive EASA regulatory certifications — AOC, ATO, FSTD, CAMO, Part-145, and Part-21 — which collectively authorize the group to sell, operate, train, maintain, and continuously airworthiness-manage helicopters across the major European OEMs (Airbus, Guimbal, Leonardo, Safran).

The group serves a diverse B2B and B2C customer base including construction, forestry, agriculture, cable car operators, tourism and ski resorts, government and rescue organizations (notably an ongoing partnership with Rega, for which it conducts approximately 900 animal rescues annually), and aspiring helicopter pilots. Revenue is generated through four streams: one-time helicopter and spare parts distribution as Airbus's Swiss partner; transaction-based flight operations covering transport, assembly, rescue, passenger, and special missions; professional-services fees for ATO-certified pilot training (PPL(H), ATPL(H), IR, instructor courses); and recurring maintenance, engineering, and CAMO contracts as an authorized service center for multiple OEMs. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with multi-year contracts on the operations side and lumpy capital-goods sales on the distribution side. Since 2023 the group has operated CO2-compensated passenger flights, a first in Switzerland.

The company is governed by a family-controlled Board of Directors chaired by Dr. Severin Riedi, with CEO Ralf Walser as Delegate, CFO Daniel Bächinger, Chief HR Officer Lorenza Di Dio, and Chief Corporate Development Officer Konrad Gysel. Recent strategic activity centers on a planned leadership succession at SHAG (Christoph Schmid taking over January 1, 2026), the elevation of Marc Degelo to lead SHM and the Group Executive Board, and the deepening of the Safran partnership through a September 2025 executive visit. The structure is a classic roll-up of legacy Swiss helicopter operators (formerly BOHAG, Air Grischa Helikopter AG, Heliswiss AG) under a unified brand, with no external PE/VC ownership and no public listing.

Name

Swiss Helicopter Group AG

Legal name

Swiss Helicopter Group AG

Website

https://swisshelicopter-group.ch

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Swiss Helicopter Group AG is a family-run Swiss holding company that, through seven subsidiaries, provides helicopter distribution, flight operations, pilot training, and maintenance services to commercial, government, and tourism customers across Switzerland and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Helicopter Services

NAICS

Nonscheduled Air Transportation (48121), Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation (481211), Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation (481219)

SIC

Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

On-Demand Helicopter Charter (Private/Corporate) (TLAFACAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

VIP/Executive Helicopter Transport (THABAGAH)

Keywords

• Helicopter distribution services
• Helicopter flight operations
• Helicopter maintenance services
• Aviation pilot training
• Aerial work services

Headquarters

HQ city

Chur

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Helicopter and Spare Parts Distribution: As official sales partner of Airbus Helicopters, the company generates revenue through the sale and trade of helicopters and spare parts, supporting customers throughout the entire lifecycle of their helicopters from purchase to operation and sale.
2. Flight Operations Services: Customized helicopter flights for transport and assembly jobs up to 5 tonnes, passenger flights, rescue missions, and special operations worldwide. Revenue generated through flight service contracts with various customers including government agencies, disaster relief organizations, and private clients.
3. Pilot Training Services: Professional pilot training through Approved Training Organisation (ATO) certified flight school, offering PPL(H), ATPL(H), IR, and flight instructor courses.
4. Maintenance, Engineering and CAMO Services: Comprehensive helicopter maintenance services including line and base maintenance, modifications, continuing airworthiness management (CAMO), and engine maintenance for Safran Helicopter Engines. Revenue from maintenance contracts and spare parts supply.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Swiss Helicopter Group AG is a vertically integrated helicopter holding company providing three core service lines: Distribution (official Airbus Helicopters sales partner for new and used helicopters and spare parts), Operation (customized helicopter flights for transport and assembly up to 5 tonnes worldwide, passenger/scenic flights, rescue missions, and EASA-approved pilot training), and Service (Part-145, Part-21, and Part-CAMO maintenance, modifications, and engineering, plus Safran Helicopter Engines repair and support) across 21 locations through seven wholly-owned subsidiaries.

Product overview

Swiss Helicopter Group AG is a helicopter services conglomerate operating through seven subsidiaries organized into three divisions. The Distribution division includes Europavia (Suisse) SA as the official Airbus Helicopters sales partner. The Operation division comprises Swiss Helicopter AG (passenger flights, transport, flight school), Heliswiss International AG (large helicopter operations worldwide), and Eliticino-Tarmac SA (Ticino region flights). The Service division includes Swiss Helicopter Maintenance AG (maintenance, CAMO, Garmin dealer), TUAG (Safran Helicopter Engines representative), and Swiss Helicopter Engineering AG (innovations and certification). The group operates a mixed fleet of approximately 34 helicopters including Airbus, Guimbal, and Kaman types, serving transport, rescue, passenger, and specialized aerial work operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Helicopter and Spare Parts Distribution
• Helicopter Flight Operations
• Pilot Training (PPL(H), ATPL(H), IR, Flight Instructor)
• Helicopter Maintenance, Engineering and CAMO
• Safran Helicopter Engines Sales and Maintenance
• Helicopter Engineering and Certification

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Airbus HelicopterscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEuropavia (Suisse) SA operates as official sales partner of Airbus Helicopters, providing expert support for buying or selling helicopters and spare parts. This partnership enables the group to offer a wide selection of first-class helicopters perfectly tailored to customer requirements.
• Safran Helicopter EnginescoreTechnology or IntegrationTUAG Triebwerk Unterhalt AG serves as official sales representative and authorized service provider for Safran Helicopter Engines. The company also provides maintenance and repair services for Safran engines. Regular high-level visits between executives strengthen the partnership, including CEO Cédric Goubet's visit in September 2025.
• GuimbalcoreTechnology or IntegrationSwiss Helicopter Maintenance AG operates as Approved Service Center for Guimbal helicopters, providing authorized maintenance services.
• Leonardo HelicopterscoreTechnology or IntegrationSwiss Helicopter Maintenance AG operates as Approved Service Center for Leonardo helicopters, providing authorized maintenance services.
• Rega (Swiss Air Rescue)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss Helicopter Group works closely with Rega, Switzerland's air rescue service, conducting approximately 900 animal rescues annually on behalf of Rega. The company also supports Rega in disaster relief and emergency operations.
• Garmin AviationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSwiss Helicopter Maintenance AG is an authorized Garmin Aviation Dealer and Service Center.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights14 records

Broad incumbents

• Bristow Group: Large publicly listed global helicopter operator focused on offshore energy and government services — analogous to SHG's worldwide special-missions and government/relief customer segment, but at much greater scale.
• PHI Aviation: US-headquartered helicopter services operator serving offshore, air medical and aerial work — comparable to SHG's diversified vertical model (transport, rescue, training, MRO) at larger scale.
• CHC Helicopter: Global helicopter services incumbent serving offshore, search-and-rescue and emergency medical services; comparable to Heliswiss International's worldwide operations and to SHG's Rega partnership model at much larger scale.

Others

• Safran Helicopter Engines: Turboshaft engine OEM that TUAG Triebwerk Unterhalt AG officially represents — a core upstream partner whose product support franchise is a significant component of SHG's Service division.
• Airbus Helicopters: OEM and core business partner to Europavia (Suisse) SA; relevant as both supplier and indirect enabler of SHG's distribution franchise rather than as a direct competitor in operations.
• Leonardo Helicopters: Helicopter OEM for which Swiss Helicopter Maintenance AG (SHM) is an Approved Service Center — relevant as a partner/manufacturer relationship, not a direct operator competitor.

Direct peers

• Heli Austria: Austrian helicopter operator providing passenger transport, sightseeing, alpine operations and industrial work — directly comparable to Swiss Helicopter AG across customer segments and Alpine geography.
• Helitrans AS: Norway-based helicopter operator offering charter, aerial work and offshore crew change services; comparable in operating model to Heliswiss International's special-missions and SHAG's passenger/charter mix.
• NHV Group (Noordzee Helikopters Vlaanderen): Belgian-headquartered European helicopter operator specializing in offshore crew change and energy-sector transport — comparable to Heliswiss International's special missions and the group's oil & gas / wind customer segment.
• Heli Service International GmbH: German helicopter operator serving offshore, wind, and industrial customers — directly comparable to Heliswiss International's worldwide special-missions operations and to SHAG's heavy-lift capabilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/swiss-helicopter-group-ag

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Swiss Helicopter Group AG