WEF 2017 - guarding the Alps out of Sion

Armed Forces missions at the World Economic Forum (WEF)

Our Armed Forces support the Canton of Graubünden with security operations at the World Economic Forum (WEF). This subsidiary operation basically includes protecting facilities and individuals, safeguarding air sovereignity, securing Swiss airspace and Coordinated Medical Services (CMS). Up to 5,000 armed forces personnel will serve in this civil affairs mission, to be carried out from January 13th to 23rd, 2017.

Air traffic over Switzerland, Austria, Liechtenstein and Italy will be restricted within a radius of 25 nautical miles (about 46 km) from the centre of Davos. Approaches to and take-offs from regional aerodromes and heliports are subject to specific rules and procedures which the Air Force has devised in cooperation with the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation. Visual flights may be carried out on predetermined routes and require prior authorisation and accreditation of pilots and aircraft.

Flights outside predefined routes and flights to Davos are subject to authorisation as well and will only be permitted for pilots and aircraft that have been accredited beforehand. After accreditation has been granted, a request for each flight must be submitted to the Air Force, which then decides in accordance with operational requirements and security considerations. Detailed procedures are specified in official publications.

The Swiss Air Force will be supporting the civilian authorities with transport and surveillance flights, using their helicopters, propeller planes and fighter jets. A considerable increase in military air traffic and noise emission in some areas outside the Canton of Graubünden is also to be expected.

Restrictions apply not only to helicopters and aeroplanes. From 16 January 2017, the restrictions on flight operations apply to all airspace users, including model airplanes, drones, hang gliders and para-gliders. The Graubünden cantonal police will issue special restrictions for this purpose.


Validity of the restrictions
Monday, 16. January 2017, from 0800 a.m. local time to Saturday, 21. January 2017, 1700 p.m. local time

Swiss military Fighter Jets flying out of SION base.

Official Film of last year's WEF-summit by Swiss Armed Forces:

UPDATE January 21st, 2017 - the photos of Sion

Time passed by with different photography/positioning difficulties due Base Security. But some nice shots where made ;)