HBG
HBG is a family-owned French helicopter services group operating 65+ aircraft across 30+ bases in Europe, Africa, and South America, providing passenger transport, aerial work, flight training, SAMU/HEMS emergency medical services, and Part 145 helicopter maintenance to government, enterprise, and VIP clients.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1980
- HeadquartersAnnemasse, France
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What HBG does
HBG is a family-owned helicopter services group headquartered in Annemasse, France, founded in 1980 by Marc Blanc and reorganized under the HBG holding structure by his son Renaud Blanc in 2011. The group operates 65+ helicopters across 30+ bases on three continents (Europe, Africa, South America), marketed as the #1 helicopter operator in France and a top-five player in Europe. Service lines fall into six categories: passenger transport (VIP/VVIP, scenic and gastronomic flights, heliski, private transfers), aerial work (forest firefighting, external load, aerial photography, offshore energy support), flight training (Fhato flight school with six bases across France and Switzerland), emergency medical services (SAMU and HEMS contracts), helicopter maintenance (Airbus and Agusta Leonardo service centers under Part 145), and aircraft sales.
The group operates a multi-brand platform of wholly-owned sub-brands (Mont Blanc Hélicoptères, Hélicoptères de France, Swiftcopters, Eagle Valais, Fhato, Hélisair, Héli Horizon, Blugeon Hélicoptères) plus the HELIGO digital booking portal, with retail-style brand websites and a recruitment/internship channel managed centrally. Underlying technology centers on IFR-certified rotorcraft (including VVIP-configured airframes operated day and night), a regulated AOC and Part 145 dual license stack, and exclusive anchor positioning at Geneva International Airport through Swiftcopters.
Revenue mechanics are diversified across one-time charter/VIP bookings, recurring flight-training subscriptions, managed-services HEMS contracts with French public healthcare authorities, professional-services maintenance for third-party operators, and occasional aircraft sales transactions; marketing combines direct consumer booking via HELIGO, enterprise field sales into government/offshore/event clients, and organic social presence on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
HBG firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- HBG
- Legal name
- HBG FRANCE
- Website
- https://hbg-helicopteres.aero
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1980
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- HBG is a family-owned French helicopter services group operating 65+ aircraft across 30+ bases in Europe, Africa, and South America, providing passenger transport, aerial work, flight training, SAMU/HEMS emergency medical services, and Part 145 helicopter maintenance to government, enterprise, and VIP clients.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
HBG industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Helicopter Services
- NAICS
- Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation (481211), Nonscheduled Air Transportation (48121), Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation (481219)
- SIC
- Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522)
- akta.pro primary industry
- On-Demand Helicopter Charter (Private/Corporate) (TLAFACAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Helicopter Charter & Sightseeing (TLAFABAH), VIP/Executive Helicopter Transport (THABAGAH), Air Medical Transport (Helicopter/Fixed-Wing) (HLAFANAD), Helicopter Public-Sector Passenger Transport (Law Enforcement/Fire/Coast Guard – Non-Rescue Transit) (TLAFACAJ)
Keywords
Where HBG is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Annemasse
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices13 records
Markets served
HBG business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Passenger Transport Services: Revenue from transporting passengers including VIP flights, aerial tours, gastronomic flights, and private transfers.
- Aerial Work Services: Héliski operations, forest fire fighting, aerial photography, and external load operations for corporate and government clients.
- Flight School (Fhato): Private and professional helicopter pilot training programs with bases in Grenoble, Paris, Gap, Annemasse, Geneva, and Sion for varied mountain and diverse flying environments.
- Emergency Medical Services: SAMU and HEMS operations providing helicopter emergency medical services under contract with healthcare authorities.
- Maintenance Services: Helicopter maintenance center operations for Airbus and Agusta Leonardo aircraft, providing service center capabilities.
- Aircraft Sales: Sale of helicopters and aircraft to private and commercial operators.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Passenger transport and VIP flights |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Flight training programs |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
HBG product offering
Product offeringCore offering
HBG is a family-owned helicopter group operating passenger transport (VIP flights, scenic tours, gastronomic flights, heliski), aerial work (forest firefighting, external load, aerial photography), Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (SAMU/HEMS) and mountain rescue, professional and private helicopter pilot training through Fhato, Airbus and Agusta Leonardo helicopter maintenance, and aircraft sales. It runs 65+ helicopters and 110+ pilots across 30+ bases in France, Switzerland, French Guiana, Africa, and Europe.
Product overview
HBG is a family helicopter group established in 2017, operating as a platform of complementary brands. The portfolio includes Mont Blanc Hélicoptères (core helicopter services, aerial work, mountain rescue, Airbus maintenance), Hélicoptères de France (aerial photography, SAMU, events), Swiftcopters (VIP/IFR flights from Geneva Airport, Agusta Leonardo maintenance), Eagle Valais (heli-skiing, Sion-based operations), Fhato (pilot flight school), and HELIGO (reservation platform). Services span passenger transport, aerial work, flight training, medical evacuation (SAMU/HEMS), mountain rescue, aircraft sales, and helicopter maintenance.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Mont Blanc Hélicoptères (MBH): Core helicopter services brand - passenger transport, aerial work, flight school, mountain rescue, SAMU, maintenance center
- Hélicoptères de France (HDF)
- Fhato (Flight Training Center)
- Swiftcopters
- Eagle Valais
- Heligo
Products and services
- Passenger Transport Services (VIP, scenic, gastronomic, heliski) Helicopter passenger transport including VIP flights, scenic aerial tours, gastronomic flights, heliski experiences, and private transfers for individuals, families, tourist groups, and high-net-worth clients. Operations span France, Switzerland, and French Guiana, with IFR-certified VVIP aircraft available day and night through Swiftcopters.
- Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (SAMU/HEMS) Helicopter Emergency Medical Services under contract with French SAMU authorities, providing rapid patient transport and emergency medical evacuation. Includes 2 SAMU units, HEMS operations, and a permanent detachment in French Guiana, serving government healthcare agencies across France.
- Mountain Rescue Services Helicopter mountain rescue operations in the French Alps, supporting mountain rescue services and government agencies. Operated from 4 mountain bases with extensive Alpine flying experience.
- Aerial Work Services Specialized aerial work including heliski operations, forest firefighting, aerial photography and filming, external load operations, and surveying for corporate clients, government agencies, media companies, and event organizers. Bases include Préchac for external load work and Eagle Valais for heliski.
- Helicopter Pilot Training (Fhato Flight Training Center) Private and professional helicopter pilot training including private pilot license, professional pilot certification, and instructor training. Operated from six training bases in Grenoble, Paris, Gap, Annemasse, Geneva, and Sion, offering varied mountain and diverse flying environments.
- Helicopter Maintenance Services Authorized maintenance services for Airbus and Agusta Leonardo helicopters, operated as Airbus service center and Agusta Leonardo maintenance center. Part 145 EASA-certified maintenance organization serving third-party helicopter operators and the HBG fleet itself.
- Aircraft Sales Sale of helicopters and aircraft to private and commercial operators. Operated as a direct enterprise sales channel leveraging HBG's relationships with Airbus and Agusta Leonardo.
Companies that use HBG
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
HBG technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
HBG partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Airbus HelicopterscoreAirbus is a key technology partner providing helicopters for the HBG fleet and supporting maintenance operations through Airbus service center capabilities.
- Agusta LeonardocoreAgusta Leonardo helicopters are operated by Swiftcopters and supported through dedicated Agusta Leonardo maintenance center capabilities.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
HBG competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Wiking Helikopter Service: German helicopter operator offering charter, EMS, and aerial work services. Comparable to HBG in European charter operations and government-contract EMS delivery.
- Air Glaciers: Swiss helicopter operator offering passenger transport, heliski, aerial work, and mountain rescue from bases across the Swiss Alps. Directly comparable to HBG's Swiftcopters and Eagle Valais in geography, services, and Alpine customer base.
- Helitrans: Italian-based helicopter operator with alpine operations across Northern Italy and Austria. Comparable in geographic scope, helicopter charter services, and external load/aerial work offerings.
- Heli Tirol: Austrian helicopter operator specializing in alpine passenger transport, heliski, and aerial work. Closely comparable to HBG's mountain operations and Alpine tourism focus.
- Swiss Helicopter: Swiss regional helicopter operator providing passenger transport, aerial work, and training. Directly comparable to HBG's Swiss passenger transport and training operations.
- Heli-Air Monaco: Monaco-based helicopter operator focused on VIP passenger transport and aerial work along the Côte d'Azur. Comparable to HBG's VIP charter and Swiftcopters premium offering.
- NHV (Noordzee Helikopters Vlaanderen): Belgian-headquartered helicopter operator serving offshore, EMS, and passenger transport markets across Europe. Comparable to HBG's offshore and HEMS revenue streams.
Broad incumbents
- CHC Helicopter: Global helicopter services provider serving offshore, EMS, and passenger transport. Comparable to HBG as a multi-service helicopter operator, but operating at significantly larger scale and geographic breadth.
- Bristow Group: Global helicopter operator with a large offshore and search-and-rescue portfolio. Comparable to HBG as a scaled helicopter services incumbent, but with much broader geographic and offshore exposure.
Others
- Airbus Helicopters: OEM manufacturer and MRO partner to HBG, and operator of helicopter training and services in select markets. Comparable as an ecosystem participant — both supplier and indirect competitor in MRO and training.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
HBG social profiles
Digital presenceHBG compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
HBG financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
HBG leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
HBG subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries10 records
HBG funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
HBG M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about HBG
What does HBG do?
HBG is a family-owned helicopter group operating passenger transport (VIP flights, scenic tours, gastronomic flights, heliski), aerial work (forest firefighting, external load, aerial photography), Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (SAMU/HEMS) and mountain rescue, professional and private helicopter pilot training through Fhato, Airbus and Agusta Leonardo helicopter maintenance, and aircraft sales. It runs 65+ helicopters and 110+ pilots across 30+ bases in France, Switzerland, French Guiana, Africa, and Europe.
Is HBG a public or private company?
HBG is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was HBG founded?
HBG was founded in 1980.
Where is HBG based?
HBG is headquartered in Annemasse, France, in the Europe region.
How does HBG make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Passenger Transport Services are the primary driver. The others are aerial Work Services, flight School (Fhato), emergency Medical Services, maintenance Services and aircraft Sales.
Who are HBG's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Wiking Helikopter Service, Air Glaciers, Helitrans, Heli Tirol, Swiss Helicopter, Heli-Air Monaco and NHV (Noordzee Helikopters Vlaanderen). Broad incumbents are CHC Helicopter and Bristow Group. Airbus Helicopters is listed as an others.
Does HBG have an API?
No public API is recorded for HBG.
What industry is HBG in?
HBG's product category is Helicopter Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAFACAB, On-Demand Helicopter Charter (Private/Corporate), with a secondary code of TLAFABAH, Helicopter Charter & Sightseeing. Its NAICS code is 481211 and its SIC code is 4522.