Both companies have a long history that goes back over 50 years, working on various mountain operations and rescue flights.

Air-Glaciers has a rotary- and fixed-wing fleet including 15 helicopters across seven bases in Switzerland. Air Zermatt employs 75 people, with a fleet of 10 helicopters across three bases.

Bruno Bagnoud, Air-Glaciers Founder, will serve the new company as Honorary President.

Both companies will still have their own board of directors and a CEO, and the regional anchoring of Air-Glaciers in Lower Valais and Air Zermatt in Upper Valais will remain as it is.

In a joint press release the companies said: “This merging is definitely the right way forward. “But even after the merger, there will always be two companies, two brands and two strong names. We will try to go a little bit together, but still remain distinctive and independent in the future. Always with the goal of becoming even better and more efficient.”