Eliticino’s base at Aeroporto di Locarno houses its administration, hangar, fuel, customs and maintenance facilities. The company has experienced an increase in flight hours over the last year and expects this to continue over 2003. Managing director Martino Albertalli also informed us that the airport would soon be providing new facilities for business aviation.

Helog AG has an extensive helicopter fleet, which takes in Super Pumas, Bell 407s and a Lama. The Haltikon-based company is now planning to buy an AS350 B3 after business increased over the last year. Pilot Markus Kolis said: “In the future we’re looking to expand further in the European market. The logging industry in particular affects the success of our business.” One of the more unusual customers the company recently flew was film star and former Mr Universe, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

One of Switzerland’s best known operators is TAG Aviation. Based at Geneva, the company is able to offer an expansive fleet, which includes a Global Express, Challenger 601, two Falcon 2000s and two Falcon 900EXs, among many others. The company has experienced a drop in business over the last year, but it expects this to pick up over the next 12 months as the economy improves.

Facilities at Geneva include handling, maintenance, hangar space and spare parts. Marketing

and PR executive Anne Zolliker informed us: “In the future we plan to increase the number of aircraft we operate, along with developing Farnborough Airport and our maintenance services.”