Air Alpes
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| Founded | 1961 | ||||||
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| Ceased operations | 1981 | ||||||
| Headquarters |
Chambéry Airport Viviers-du-Lac, Savoie, France |
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| Key people | Michel Ziegler (founder) | ||||||
Société Air Alpes was a French airline company headquartered in Chambéry Airport and in Viviers-du-Lac, Savoie, near Chambéry. Established in 1961 by Michel Ziegler, the airline's history began in the French Alps.
Air Alpes was founded in 1961 by Michel Ziegler, with its registered office at Chambéry Airport. He received backing from Henri Ziegler and Sylvain Floirat, who became the two first shareholders; followed later on by Joseph Szydlowski, the founder of aircraft engine manufacturer Turbomeca. Due to the construction of new facilities at Chambéry Airport, the registered office was transferred to Courchevel Airport. Operations were initially with a Piper PA-18 Super Cub, mainly offering flying lessons and carrying supplies into the mountains. A PC-6/340 Porter was leased, but on September 2, 1961 it was destroyed during a training flight at the "Col du Dome" in the Mont Blanc mountains. In 1962, a replacement turboprop Pilatus PC-6/A-H2 Porter was acquired.
Glacier skiing drop-offs were very important during the first years of Air Alpes' operation.The company built its own airstrips, called altiports at various high-altitude locations. Landings could only be achieved with guidance from the ground. A very close cooperation was established between the company and ski-instructors and guides from the various ski-resorts. The main glaciers of Mont Blanc, the Tarentaise Valley, the Vanoise massif and Oisans were now accessible. For each flight only a maximum of six customers and their guide could be accommodated. This activity ended in 1979 after a ban on glacier landings was imposed. In 1963, a second Pilatus PC-6/A-H2 joined the fleet and the company built an altiport at La Plagne. The first domestic seasonal routes were operated in Corsica. In 1964, Megève Aerodrome was inaugurated on December 20. In November, a six-seat SFERMA SF-60 Marquis was leased for flights to Lyon Bron Airport.
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