Zimex Aviation
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aviation, Aircraft leasing |
| Founded | 1969 |
| Founder | Hannes Ziegler |
| Headquarters | Glattbrugg , Switzerland |
Area served | Europe, including Switzerland, Sweden, Germany, Austria |
| Products | Aircraft leasing, passenger and cargo air transport, VIP charters, MRO services |
Zimex Aviation Ltd. is a Swiss-based carrier headquartered in Glattbrugg, Switzerland, concentrating on aircraft leasing services tailored for sectors such as oil, express cargo, utility, VIP charters, mining, and humanitarian aid organizations. Established in 1969 by Hannes Ziegler, it holds the distinction of being Switzerland's longest-standing airline as recognized by FOCA.
The airline’s primary hub is located at EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg, complemented by Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) operations situated at St Gallen Airport and Sofia, Bulgaria. Since 2021, Zimex has broadened its reach through its Austrian subsidiary, Zimex Austria (ICAO: AZD).
Major contracts include services for Postnord in Sweden; operations for Carousel across Berlin, Frankfurt, and Hannover in Germany; and flights on behalf of BDA and ASL from airports such as Maastricht, Birmingham, Dublin, Prestwick, and Shannon. Furthermore, Zimex conducts twice-weekly military transport missions between Basel and the cities of Pristina and Sarajevo for the Swiss Army to facilitate troop movements.
On August 7, 2023, the Swedish division adopted the ICAO code JUP along with the callsign JumpAir.
History
Zimex Aviation was founded in 1969 as a specialized airline entity. A significant event occurred on October 14, 1987, when one of its Lockheed L-100-30 aircraft—a civilian adaptation of the C-130 Hercules—was downed in Angola during operations for the International Committee of the Red Cross.
In October 1999, ownership transitioned when a Swiss investor group acquired the Zimex Aviation Group, signaling a strategic change in company control.
Fleet
As of May 2023, Zimex Aviation operates a fleet comprising 29 aircraft dedicated primarily to regional passenger and cargo missions:
| Aircraft | In Service |
Orders | Passengers |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATR 42-500 | 1 | — | 38 |
| ATR 42-300F | 4 | 2 | — |
| ATR 72-200F | 10 | — | — |
| ATR 72-500F | 1 | — | — |
| Beechcraft 1900D | 1 | — | Nil |
| De Havilland DHC-6-300 Twin Otter | 11 | — | Nil |
| Pilatus PC6-B2/H4 Porter | 1 | — | Nil |
A noteworthy milestone was achieved at the Farnborough Air Show in July 2010 when Zimex received delivery of the first DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 400 manufactured by Viking Air, upgrading its fleet with advanced turboprop aircraft.