AIR ZERMATT AN S


ARTICLE BY TINA PODLOGAR PHOTOS & VIDEO BY UROS PODLOGAR


witzerland may appear small on a map, measuring barely 348 kilometers (216 miles) from east to west, yet it boasts a


remarkably large, dramatic landscape. From a distance, the Swiss Alps appear as picturesque white summits, deep valleys and glaciers beneath the sky. In reality, the Alps are constantly changing, shaped by avalanches, wind, snow, falling rocks, and the people who live, work and travel in them. Switzerland is home to 48 mountains rising above 4,000 meters (13,123 feet); 41 of these mountain tops are concentrated in the Valais Alps and among them is the world-famous Matterhorn.


In 1968, Air Zermatt began operations with one helicopter, an Agusta-Bell 206A Jet Ranger, beneath the unmistakable silhouette of this


majestic mountain. The company was founded by Beat H. Perren, a pharmacist who became vice- president of Zermatt.


From its early beginning, the mission of this company was practical – to provide fast medical access and rescue capability for people living in, working in, and visiting the high-alpine region.


Now, more than half a century later, Air Zermatt’s red aircraft have become inseparable from life in the high Swiss Alps. For a team operating in such demanding and unforgiving terrain, choosing the right helicopter is every bit as important as the skill and experience of the crews flying it. One aircraft that has become central to many of its missions is the Bell 429.


46 July/Aug 2026


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