To provide unmatched quality service and have the best prices is clearly the leitmotif that best defines the approach taken by SkyGroup. The operator has not veered from its path and continues its ascent into the elite circle of French operators, who are known for their success. On the occasion of the HAI, SkyGroup reported on the group’s strengths and its expectations for 2012. By Gabrielle Mansier 

« A personalized service, continuous availability, quality service without error. » Gilbert Schweitzer, the CEO and co-founder of SkyGroup clearly demonstrates the desire to offer a premium service for a demanding clientele. Based on the observation that in recent years this concept has been gradually abandoned in world of the helicopter, the group’s leader wanted to fill this gap by bringing together through its four companies, SkyCam, Sky Maintenance Services, Monacair and SkyAzur, all of the elements necessary to satisfy helicopter owners. Navigation management, technical and mechanical assistance, ground maintenance, consulting, business and pleasure flights and training; nothing is missing from SkyGroup’s range of services. « We are not trying to accomplish all of the missions imaginable by an operator because we want to do things correctly and provide the best service possible in our core capabilities. We only focus on the market of helicopter owners because the shortcomings in terms of meeting customers’ needs are numerous, » says G. Schweitzer.

Service quality above all
In order to have a chance at reaching this goal, SkyGroup relies on one of its core strengths: the people who keep the company up and running. All of its employees are dedicated to meeting customer expectations. All of the teams: sales, operations, flight and ground work closely together and collaborate in order to respond effectively to customers’ needs, satisfy their desires and accommodate their habits. For G. Schweitzer, one thing is certain: finding customers is not the ultimate goal since keeping them is a lot more complicated, therefore, « getting to know them fosters trust and collaboration. » He made a point to clarify that compared to those who advocate excessively low prices, SkyGroup’s prices are perhaps not the lowest, however, « they represent the best value for money. » And it is on this principle that SkyGroup wants to make a difference. 40% of customers are using the group’s pilots. Some customers even request two pilots. Our advantage is to invest in pilots dedicated to their profession like all of our employees. Result? Since its creation in 2009, 20 aircraft have been operating within SkyGroup and the company hopes to reach 30 aircraft by the end of 2011. This possibility for development will be accompanied by recruitment in order to handle the increase in activity at each base.

A group that is making a place for itself

Moreover, by official appointment since 1999 to provide helicopter transportation services to H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince of Monaco, the company enjoys a reputation for providing top of the line services that contributes to its growth. The group works with two Agusta Grand New (the last one having arrived a few days ago), a 355 N, and a B4 at Castellet and two AW109, a N355, a B4 and a B2 at Archamps. At the base in Monaco an EC155, an EC135, a 109 Grand New and a B2+ are operated. As for Paris, the 109 Elite will soon be joined by a B3, an EC120 and a Grand New. Two additional EC155 are due in Geneva and Monaco. Another key to success for the operator is maintenance and Gilbert Schweitzer wants to improve its performance. Already a service center for Agusta Westland since 2010, the company is finalizing a service center contract with Eurocopter. Thereby SkyGroup will work equally with the two European manufacturers. Well established in the strategic triangle (Archamps, Castellet, Monaco), the company aims to increase its capabilities beyond the French borders. The targeted regions? Switzerland, Italy and the nearby Mediterranean basin. The choice of this expansion to these geographic areas is based on the potential customers that are found there. For example, Geneva-Monaco is the main line operated by the company. SkyGroup has developed it because it is popular with private travelers: « In 90 minutes, one can get from the center of Geneva to the center of Monaco with out any traffic, » according to the company. Moreover, in 2011, it hopes to strengthen its base in the Paris region by setting up a line maintenance center. The reason: to better meet the needs of individual owners located in Ile-de-France as well as British customers. While Pontoise and Toussus-le-Noble are two areas that have been mentioned, so far nothing has been permanently decided. The only wish expressed: to have a site near Paris, accessible, calm and secure. Other decisions: continue developing Archamps where eight helicopters are stationed as well as three pilots and two mechanics. This base’s business has grown 50% over the last three years.

« Do not exceed a certain size »
G. Schweitzer wants to restore Monacair to its former glory by bringing back the philosophy initiated by its creator Stefano Casiraghi, who described it as, « the ultimate service. » In possession of a three year AOC for four different types of aircraft the company now handles 80% of the auxiliary services and works with 90% of the city’s VIP clients. Another objective: to work with the relevant authorities to redevelop the heliport in order to increase the available space and make it more functional. Mr. Vilardi and G. Schweitzer claim that it will build customer loyalty and give a new look to the landing area in Monaco. Always looking to serve the customer, the group also handles a large variety of missions such as the management of helicopters aboard yachts. Drawing on the expertise of Mr. Vilardi, a former expert at Eurocopter in the domain of integrating helicopters on marine platforms, SkyGroup wants to be the leading player in this segment. As such, a contract was signed for the integration of a Dauphin N3, which will begin operating in 2012. All in all, G. Schweitzer’s objectives are simple and far from being excessive: « By 2012 we should be working with 40 aircraft and have doubled our work force. Once this size is reached, we won’t be looking to get much larger because I consider our main priorities as being close to our customers and offering tailor-made services that must be constantly adapted. »