Lastentransport
B2B
Industrie
Logistik
Areas of operation
Helicopter load transport is indispensable in the Swiss Alpine region. The main areas of operation are:
Mountain hut supply
The roughly 150 SAC huts in Switzerland are largely supplied by helicopter. Food, drinks, fuels and building materials are flown in regularly.
Construction logistics
In hard-to-reach terrain, building materials are transported by helicopter. Typical loads are concrete, steel, timber and machinery.
Assembly flights
Cable-car pylons, antennas, power masts and other infrastructure are assembled by helicopter. This requires the highest precision and experienced pilots.
Helicopter types for load transport
| Helicopter | Max. external load |
|---|---|
| AS350 Ecureuil | 1,100 kg |
| EC135 | 1,400 kg |
| Super Puma | 4,500 kg |
| K-MAX | 2,700 kg |
Costs
The costs for load transport vary according to helicopter type, flight time and complexity of the mission. Indicative figures:
- Light helicopter (AS350): CHF 35–50 per flight minute
- Medium helicopter (EC135): CHF 50–80 per flight minute
- Heavy helicopter (Super Puma): CHF 120–180 per flight minute
Planning and permits
Various permits are required for load transport in Switzerland:
- Flight authorisation from FOCA
- Environmental impact assessment in protected areas
- Coordination with municipalities and cantons
- Noise protection measures