The demands on sustainable yet economically efficient forestry are continuously increasing. Rising extreme weather events and the resulting areas of damaged timber present major challenges for forest owners, forestry companies, and public authorities. This is exactly where Kitz-Air comes in: based in Erpfendorf near Kitzbühel, the company has specialized in demanding transport and assembly flights and is today a reliable partner for forestry in alpine regions and beyond. With its own helicopters, Kitz-Air can move loads of up to 4,000 kg.
A key area of operation is timber extraction by helicopter—also known as helicopter logging. Especially in hard-to-access areas where the use of ground-based machinery is either impossible or would cause significant environmental impact, this method offers decisive advantages. Individual stems or group selections can be extracted from untouched forest stands in a way that is gentle on both the stand and the soil. Soil compaction, damage to natural regeneration and young growth, as well as the need for extensive road construction, can thus be avoided. The result is structured protective forests that can sustainably fulfill their essential functions through small-scale management. In the past, the use of helicopters for combating bark beetle infestations has been strongly promoted. With high daily performance of up to 400 solid cubic meters per flight day, large amounts of breeding material can be quickly removed from bark beetle-affected areas. The helicopter has become an important tool in forest protection. The experienced project managers at Kitz-Air provide expert guidance and support throughout.
Closely linked to timber extraction is specialized tree removal, meaning the targeted dismantling of individual standing trees in sensitive areas. Whether on steep slopes, along power lines, or in protective forests above transport infrastructure and settlements, precision and experience are essential. In close cooperation with specialized tree-climbing teams, problematic trees are carefully dismantled piece by piece and safely flown out by helicopter. This method enables interventions in areas where conventional approaches reach their limits.
A growing field of application for Kitz-Air is wildfire suppression. Especially in times of increasing dry periods, firefighting is becoming more important even in alpine regions. Kitz-Air supports fire brigades and emergency services with high-performance helicopters equipped with water buckets. Water is collected from nearby lakes or reservoirs and precisely dropped over active fire zones. The rapid aerial response capability can be crucial in preventing major damage in emergency situations.
In addition to emergency operations, long-term forest care and stabilization also play a central role. This includes forest liming, where finely dosed lime is applied from the air to affected areas. This measure improves soil conditions and supports the regeneration of damaged forest stands. Equally important is the reforestation of cleared areas: seeds can be distributed efficiently and evenly—even in rough and inaccessible terrain.
Helicopters also offer clear advantages in game and wildlife management. The transport of hunting stands, building materials for hunting lodges, or other infrastructure is carried out quickly, safely, and without the need for extensive ground access. Especially in remote hunting areas, this saves time and costs while minimizing environmental impact.
An increasingly important field is protective forest restoration. In alpine regions in particular, protective forests serve essential functions, such as avalanche protection or slope stabilization. Restoring these forests often requires the transport of young plants, seeds, and technical reinforcement structures. Helicopters make it possible to place these materials precisely where they are needed—even under the most difficult conditions.
Kitz-Air works closely with partner companies such as Heli Transair in Frankfurt and Heli Transair Italia in South Tyrol. This alliance enables the implementation of projects across regions while pooling expertise and capacity. All involved companies share a clear focus on professional transport aviation and tailored solutions for complex tasks.
Although Kitz-Air also offers sightseeing and passenger flights, the core of its daily operations clearly lies in industrial and forestry applications. Here, the strength of modern helicopter technology combined with experienced crews becomes evident: flexible, precise, and reliable.
Forestry is undergoing a transformation—towards greater sustainability, efficiency, and resilience. The targeted use of helicopters is no longer a niche solution, but an integral part of modern forest management concepts. Kitz-Air sees itself as a partner in this development, bringing a crucial perspective: from above.