Air Zermatt has purchased its first EC135, adding to a fleet which already includes three AS350 Ecureuils, three Lamas and an Alouette III. Ceo Bernard Vogel said: “We chose this particular aircraft because it’s quiet, economical and it has a large cabin – so the doctor can work more easily on the patient. It’s simply ideal for EMS.”

The Swiss company had originally planned to replace its Ecureuil B2 with the EC135. “We decided to add the aircraft around two years ago, but we had to wait due to the large demand for the EC135.

“In the meantime business levels have increased, so we needed to keep the B2 for passenger and cargo flights. With the levels of work for EMS, there was never any problem anticipating demand for the EC135.

“Cargo is a different matter though, because business levels can fluctuate. In the region we’re located, we have a guaranteed income from rescue missions because we’re the only company doing them.”

Air Zermatt started in 1968 with just one helicopter, a pilot and a mechanic, and today employs 45 people. Alongside the main base at Zermatt, the company has a maintenance facility in Raron and a second helicopter base at Sion.

Vogel added: “At our main base we have built a special elevator so that ambulances can reach us safely.

Also, to protect the villagers from helicopter noise, we have developed a special landing route and built a noise wall.”

The wide range of activities performed by the fleet include sightseeing, taxi flights, film and photography along with the extreme sport of heli-skiing.