WEF 2025: Airspace restrictions 17. and 20. – 25. January 2025

The World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting will take place in Davos from 20 to 24 January 2025. Various measures have been taken at the request of the Graubünden government in order to guarantee security. These include restrtictions on the use of Davos airspace and aerodromes from 17 to 25 January 2025. The Federal Council has tasked the Air Force with maintaining air sovereignty.

Air traffic over Swiss territory will be restricted within a radius of 25 nautical miles (about 47 kilometres) from the centre of Davos. Similar restrictions apply to border regions in Austria and Italy. Approaches and departures at aerodromes within the security zone are subject to special rules and procedures which the Air Force has drawn up in cooperation with the Federal Office of Civil Aviation.

Special rules and procedures for flight operations apply to the aerodromes in Bad Ragaz, Balzers and Samedan, which are located within the restricted area. All flights to and from these aerodromes require prior authorisation from the Air Force.

Aviation includes more than helicopters and winged aircraft; other airspace users will therefore also be subject to restrictions.

The operation of model aircraft, drones and tethered balloons is restricted in an area between Davos Monstein over the Wolfgang Pass into Prättigau to Schiers from 17 to 25 January 2025. Details are available starting from 15.1.2025 on the drone map.

Flights with hang-gliders and paragliders are restricted on the 17th and from 20 to 25 January 2025: details are available on the Swiss Hang-gliders association website.
Detailed information can be found in official publications (VFR Manual SUP, NOTAM, DABS; see further information).

Air Force identification of an aircraft
What should I do as a pilot if a military aircraft suddenly appears next to me? How should I fly? What does it mean and what does the Air Force want from me? Jérôme d’Hooghe (Geronimo), Chief of Air Defence Branch, Deputy Chief A3 of the Air Force explains all the details in this video.