Columbia Helicopters, a global leader in heavy-lift helicopter solutions, proudly announces the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Heliswiss International, marking the first international customer of the Model 234SP (Special Purpose) Chinook.

Mike Tremlett, President and CEO at Columbia Helicopters, expressed his excitement about this significant milestone, stating, "Securing Heliswiss International as our first international customer for the Model 234SP underscores the global demand and recognition of the revolutionary capabilities this aircraft brings to the market. We are thrilled to partner with Heliswiss in introducing this game-changing aircraft to international operators."

European customer Heliswiss International, a Swiss helicopter operator specializing in heavy-lift long-line precision work and disaster relief, will also be a customer for the 234SP. Severin Riedi, Chairman of Heliswiss’s parent company, Swiss Helicopter Group, writes, “For over 60 years, Heliswiss International has developed an expertise in the construction and assembly of complex structures worldwide with the help of 10 ton category aircraft. In the frame of its development strategy and the global development plan of the Swiss Helicopter Group, Heliswiss International has assessed the European market and confirmed the need for such a helicopter.”

CEO of Heliswiss International, Stéphane Delaye, adds, “With the signature of a Letter of Intent to purchase a 234SP, Heliswiss makes a further step and secures its project to operate this helicopter as a utility-purposed Super Heavy Helicopter, and to support the ambitious development plan of Power Grids in Europe with an unmatched lifting capacity of more than 10 tons. We are happy to have the support of Columbia Helicopters to operate a Model 234UTin early 2025, independent from the certification process of the Model 234SP.”

This collaboration between Columbia Helicopters and Heliswiss International represents a strategic move towards optimizing operations and providing unparalleled service to clients across various sectors.