Michel Ziegler passes away

It is with deep sadness that the Air and Space Academy has learned of the death of Michel Ziegler, on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at the age of 90.

An airline pilot, mountain guide and pioneer of aviation in difficult terrain, Michel Ziegler was an emblematic figure in French aeronautics, at the crossroads of the skies and the summits. Born on December 1, 1934 in Boulogne-sur-Seine, he embodied a spirit of adventure, commitment and rigor throughout his life.

Elected correspondent to the Academy on June 19, 2006, then fellow on June 11, 2008, he became an honorary member of Section III on January 1, 2009. His career is a perfect illustration of the combination of technique, courage and vision that guides the work of our Academy.

After training as a professional pilot in 1961, Michel Ziegler specialized in mountain flying, accumulating over 12,700 flying hours and 10,900 mountain landings. That same year, he founded Air Alpes, of which he was successively chief pilot and then president until 1982. He was responsible for the creation of altiports, revolutionizing air access to mountainous regions.

In 1971, he exported his expertise to Nepal, helping to establish mountain aviation in the Himalayas, marking one of the major milestones in his career.

His career was also marked by high-level responsibilities in commercial aviation: captain on a Boeing 737 for Euralair, president and captain on a DC10 for Air Martinique, then president of Aigle Azur from 1993 to 2001. He was also founder and Chairman of ATAR, the Association of Regional Air Carriers, from 1968 to 1976.

A qualified mountain guide, Michel Ziegler is also involved in local life, as mayor of Saint-Bon-Courchevel (1983-1997) and founder of the Club des Onzes, which brought together the mayors of the Tarentaise Vanoise ski resorts.

Awarded the Légion d’honneur and the Médaille de l’Aéronautique, Michel Ziegler is remembered as a man of action, passion and vision, whose contribution to the development of regional and mountain aviation remains invaluable.

The Air and Space Academy pays respectful homage to his memory, and extends its deepest condolences to his family, friends and all those who crossed his path.