Private helicopter hire in Switzerland
Airport transfers to the Alpine resorts, Matterhorn flights and event days. What a helicopter costs per hour, where it may land, and the operators allowed to fly you.
- Private hire
- CHF 1'310 to CHF 3'820/hr
- On Swiss charter fleets
- 185 helicopters
- Geneva landing, 2 to 6 t
- CHF 60.50 + VAT
- Licence to carry you
- FOCA AOC
How helicopter hire works in Switzerland
A private helicopter typically costs CHF 1'310 to CHF 3'820 per flight hour for the whole aircraft, before VAT and fees. Positioning, landing fees and waiting time are added: at Geneva Airport a landing costs CHF 33 for an aircraft of 1 to 2 tonnes and CHF 60.50 for 2 to 6 tonnes, plus a helicopter noise charge of CHF 2.50 per tonne, all before VAT. Shared sightseeing is cheaper: Air Zermatt's 20-minute Matterhorn flight costs CHF 230 per person.
You hire the whole helicopter and its pilot, on your schedule, from an airport or heliport near you to anywhere it can legally land.
Commercial passenger flights need an air operator certificate (AOC) and an operating licence from FOCA, the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (BAZL in German, OFAC in French). FOCA's list of supervised helicopter operators, status 28 July 2026, shows 21 companies with an AOC for commercial air transport, from Air Zermatt to Swiss Helicopter. 185 helicopters fly in their charter fleets, and the Airbus H125 is the most common type.
Altivo Jets is a broker: we match your trip to a certified operator, name that operator and the full price before you book, and handle the paperwork with the landing site.
Mountain flying sets Switzerland apart. Air Zermatt sells 20-minute Matterhorn flights from CHF 230 per person, and above 1,100 m tourist passengers land only at designated mountain landing sites.
Sources:FOCA (BAZL/OFAC): air operator certificates and the lists of AOC holders, aeroplanes (10 June 2026) and helicopter operators (file dated 28 July 2026)FOCA: list of all FOCA-supervised helicopter operators, status 28 July 2026 (PDF)Genève Aéroport: Airport Charges Regulation for General Aviation and Business Aviation, in force from 1 January 2025 (2025 to 2027 tariff period)FOCA: explanatory report on the Off-Aerodrome Landing Ordinance (AuLaV), 30 April 2014 (PDF)Federal Tax Administration (ESTV): supplies and services to air transport companies (domestic air transport taxable at the standard rate)Air Zermatt: sightseeing flights and prices, checked 19 October 2026
Helicopter hire by city
Every helicopter needs a PPR slot and a reserved stand. Zermatt is about 45 minutes away.
Helicopters flying visually book a VFR slot at the airport. Zermatt is about 60 minutes away.
Sources:Genève Aéroport: PPR, information for aviation professionals, checked 19 October 2026Flughafen Zürich: general aviation, slots and VFR helicopters, checked 19 October 2026Air Zermatt: transfer flights and flight times, checked 19 October 2026
Tell us the dates and passengers. A specialist replies with aircraft options and an all-in price, around the clock.
Alpine resorts by helicopter
Car-free village with its own heliport. Sion is about 15 minutes away, and Matterhorn flights start at CHF 230 per person.
Samedan regional airport or the St. Moritz winter heliport, about 55 minutes from Zermatt.
Saanen airfield or the Gstaad Inn-Grund winter heliport, about 25 minutes from Zermatt.
Sources:Air Zermatt: transfer flights and flight times, checked 19 October 2026Air Zermatt: sightseeing flights and prices, checked 19 October 2026FOCA (BAZL): Winterheliport St. Moritz (LSXM), checked 19 October 2026FOCA (BAZL): Regionalflughafen Samedan (LSZS), checked 19 October 2026FOCA (BAZL): Flugfeld Saanen (LSGK), checked 19 October 2026FOCA (BAZL): Winterheliport Gstaad-Inn Grund (LSEA), checked 19 October 2026
Event and occasion helicopters
Fuchs Helikopter flies WEF transfers with up to eight passengers.
Fly into Samedan for the race days.
Geneva Airport needs a PPR slot and a helicopter stand.
Travel to Basel for the art fair.
Travel to Montreux for the festival.
Travel to Wengen for the ski races.
Arrivals, getaways and proposals by helicopter.
When a group is too big for one helicopter.
Sources:Fuchs Helikopter: WEF transfer to Davos, checked 19 October 2026Genève Aéroport: PPR, information for aviation professionals, checked 19 October 2026FOCA (BAZL): Regionalflughafen Samedan (LSZS), checked 19 October 2026
Where a helicopter can land in Switzerland
Swiss law allows many landings away from airports, with firm limits in the mountains and protected areas.
- Any take-off or landing away from an aerodrome is an off-aerodrome landing. Picking up or setting down people counts too, even if the helicopter never touches the ground.
- Off-aerodrome landings are allowed in principle under the Off-Aerodrome Landing Ordinance. Helicopters registered abroad need FOCA authorisation unless a Swiss-based operator runs them.
- Take-offs and landings are generally banned in nationally protected areas, which cover about 5% of Switzerland.
- For a landing in a built-up area, the operator notifies the cantonal authority, in most cases the municipality.
- Setting down tourist or sport passengers away from an aerodrome is limited to below 1,100 m. FOCA can approve exceptions for specific events.
- Above 1,100 m, tourist flights use mountain landing sites: places with no infrastructure. FOCA's list has 40 of them.
Sources:FOCA: Off-aerodrome landing, checked 19 October 2026FOCA: explanatory report on the Off-Aerodrome Landing Ordinance (AuLaV), 30 April 2014 (PDF)FOCA: Mountain landing sites, checked 19 October 2026FOCA, Sectoral Plan SIL: the 40 mountain landing sites, use and heliskiing interest, 26 February 2020 (PDF)
What goes into a helicopter price
You charter the whole helicopter and its pilot, so the price is per flight, not per seat.
- Flying time at the hourly rate for the type: as a guide, CHF 1'310 to CHF 3'820 per flight hour for the whole helicopter.
- Positioning when the helicopter is based away from your pickup point, both to reach you and to fly home.
- Landing fees at Geneva Airport: CHF 33 per landing for 1 to 2 tonnes and CHF 60.50 for 2 to 6 tonnes, plus a helicopter noise charge of CHF 2.50 per tonne (2025 to 2027 tariff, before VAT).
- Passenger charges at Geneva for each departing passenger, including a security charge of CHF 13.20.
- Parking at Geneva is free for the first 120 minutes, then CHF 10 a day for an aircraft up to 2 tonnes.
- Handling: ground handling is mandatory at Geneva, and commercial flights must use a handling agent.
- VAT: flights within Switzerland are taxed at the standard rate of 8.1%. Flights that depart from or arrive in another country are exempt.
- Waiting time if the helicopter holds for you during the day.
Sources:Genève Aéroport: Airport Charges Regulation for General Aviation and Business Aviation, in force from 1 January 2025 (2025 to 2027 tariff period)Genève Aéroport: PPR, information for aviation professionals, checked 19 October 2026Federal Tax Administration (ESTV): supplies and services to air transport companies (domestic air transport taxable at the standard rate)Federal Tax Administration (ESTV): current Swiss VAT ratesSwiss VAT Ordinance (SR 641.201), Art. 41: tax exemption with credit for international air traffic (bilingual copy; only the Federal Chancellery's publication is binding)
Check the operator holds a FOCA air operator certificate
- Commercial air transport needs a FOCA air operator certificate (AOC). Carrying people for payment also needs an operating licence, which requires a Swiss AOC and proof of sound finances.
- Check the operator on FOCA's list of supervised helicopter operators. Companies allowed to carry passengers have a CAT certificate number starting CH.AOC; 21 had one at 28 July 2026.
- Companies listed with only an SPO number (specialised operations, such as work flights) or an NCC number (non-commercial) hold no AOC for passenger transport.
- The company selling the flight and the company operating it can be different. Ask who operates yours.
- As a broker, Altivo Jets names the operator and its certificate before you book.
Sources:FOCA (BAZL/OFAC): air operator certificates and the lists of AOC holders, aeroplanes (10 June 2026) and helicopter operators (file dated 28 July 2026)FOCA: list of all FOCA-supervised helicopter operators, status 28 July 2026 (PDF)
Helicopters on Swiss charter fleets
The types Swiss certificate holders fly most. Each page shows how many fly and which operators have them.
Helicopter operators in Switzerland
FOCA Air Operator Certificate holders with the largest helicopter fleets on our list. 20 operators fly helicopters in Switzerland.
23 helicopters: Airbus H125, Airbus EC120 Colibri, Airbus H130
18 helicopters: Airbus H125, Airbus H135
15 helicopters: Robinson R22, Bell 206 JetRanger, Robinson R44
14 helicopters: Airbus H125, Bell 429
13 helicopters: Robinson R22, Robinson R44, Airbus EC120 Colibri
12 helicopters: Airbus H135, Airbus H145, Airbus AS332 Super Puma
12 helicopters: Bell 505 Jet Ranger X, Robinson R22, Robinson R44
12 helicopters: Leonardo AW109, Bell 206 JetRanger, Leonardo AW139
12 helicopters: Airbus H125, MD 902 Explorer, Airbus EC120 Colibri
Questions, answered
Still deciding? A charter specialist will talk you through aircraft, airports and price, with no obligation.
Ask a specialistHow much does it cost to hire a helicopter in Switzerland?+
As a guide, CHF 1'310 to CHF 3'820 per flight hour for the whole helicopter, before VAT. Positioning, landing fees, handling and waiting time are added.
How much is a helicopter flight over the Matterhorn?+
Air Zermatt's 20-minute Matterhorn Standard flight costs CHF 230 per person and flies with at least four passengers. A private flight for up to five can be booked if you prefer not to share.
How long is the helicopter from Geneva or Zurich to Zermatt?+
About 45 minutes from Geneva and about 60 minutes from Zurich, according to Air Zermatt. From Sion it is about 15 minutes.
Is there VAT on helicopter flights in Switzerland?+
Flights within Switzerland are taxed at the standard rate of 8.1%. Flights that depart from or arrive in another country are exempt.
Who is allowed to fly me for money?+
Only an operator holding a FOCA air operator certificate (AOC) and an operating licence. FOCA's list of helicopter operators shows the certificate number of each company allowed to carry passengers. Altivo Jets names the operator before you book.
Can a helicopter land at my chalet or on a glacier?+
Landings away from aerodromes are allowed in principle, but not in nationally protected areas, and tourist passengers may be set down only below 1,100 m. Higher up, flights use one of FOCA's 40 mountain landing sites.
Fares, dates and rules on this page were checked on October 2026. Official fares and schedules change every season; the operator or authority named in each source has the final word.
- 1.FOCA (BAZL/OFAC): air operator certificates and the lists of AOC holders, aeroplanes (10 June 2026) and helicopter operators (file dated 28 July 2026)
- 2.FOCA: list of all FOCA-supervised helicopter operators, status 28 July 2026 (PDF)
- 3.Genève Aéroport: Airport Charges Regulation for General Aviation and Business Aviation, in force from 1 January 2025 (2025 to 2027 tariff period)
- 4.FOCA: explanatory report on the Off-Aerodrome Landing Ordinance (AuLaV), 30 April 2014 (PDF)
- 5.Federal Tax Administration (ESTV): supplies and services to air transport companies (domestic air transport taxable at the standard rate)
- 6.Air Zermatt: sightseeing flights and prices, checked 19 October 2026
- 7.Genève Aéroport: PPR, information for aviation professionals, checked 19 October 2026
- 8.Flughafen Zürich: general aviation, slots and VFR helicopters, checked 19 October 2026
- 9.Air Zermatt: transfer flights and flight times, checked 19 October 2026
- 10.FOCA (BAZL): Winterheliport St. Moritz (LSXM), checked 19 October 2026
- 11.FOCA (BAZL): Regionalflughafen Samedan (LSZS), checked 19 October 2026
- 12.FOCA (BAZL): Flugfeld Saanen (LSGK), checked 19 October 2026
- 13.FOCA (BAZL): Winterheliport Gstaad-Inn Grund (LSEA), checked 19 October 2026
- 14.Fuchs Helikopter: WEF transfer to Davos, checked 19 October 2026
- 15.FOCA: Off-aerodrome landing, checked 19 October 2026
- 16.FOCA: Mountain landing sites, checked 19 October 2026
- 17.FOCA, Sectoral Plan SIL: the 40 mountain landing sites, use and heliskiing interest, 26 February 2020 (PDF)
- 18.Federal Tax Administration (ESTV): current Swiss VAT rates
- 19.Swiss VAT Ordinance (SR 641.201), Art. 41: tax exemption with credit for international air traffic (bilingual copy; only the Federal Chancellery's publication is binding)
Tell us where the helicopter needs to go.
A specialist replies around the clock with aircraft options, the operator's name and an all-in price.