Story ID: 3121813mx
Ruag Aviation Opens Helicopter Facility in Switzerland
By: David A. Lombardo
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Word Count: 188
Ruag Aviation has plans to open a helicopter facility at Sion Airport in western Switzerland. Initially the facility will focus on the maintenance, repair and overhaul of Sikorsky S-76s, with planned growth to include more types in the future.

According to the company, the Sion facility will perform a full range of helicopter MRO services, from basic maintenance to complete overhauls. The plan calls for a hangar, administrative office space and workshop space. At the outset the new facility will be staffed by two Ruag employees, backed up by specialists from Ruag Aviation’s helicopter facilities in Alpnach and Mollis to meet the specific requirements of individual projects as they arise.

Ruag says that the launch of its facility at Sion Airport, which has an established high volume of helicopter traffic, fulfils a longstanding objective to establish a base for helicopter maintenance in western Switzerland. “This also marks the strengthening of our position in the twin-turbine and VIP helicopter segment, which allows us to pass further advantages on to our customers,” said Andreas Baumann, Ruag Aviation’s general manager of helicopters.