The army deployment to protect the WEF in Davos has begun
Published: Monday, Jan 8th 2024, 10:30
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The army deployment to protect the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos GR has begun. The majority of the up to 5,000 army personnel arrived on Monday. The WEF begins next Monday.
Parliament set the upper limit of up to 5,000 members of the armed forces when approving the deployment. Some of the troops will be deployed during the five-day meeting in the Landwasser Valley, as announced by the Department of Defense on Monday.
Members of the armed forces are also deployed in the rest of Switzerland for the WEF, for example to ensure air sovereignty, logistics and command support. The civilian authorities of the canton of Graubünden are responsible for the deployment of the army.
The army is responsible for air sovereignty. The Air Force reinforces the air police service and carries out surveillance flights for the benefit of the canton of Graubünden and air transports of persons protected under international law. The air force works closely with partners from Austria and Italy to ensure airspace security.
Airspace restrictions
On Friday (January 12) between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and from Saturday (January 13) from 10 a.m. and continuously until Saturday, January 20 at 5 p.m., restrictions apply in the airspace over Davos. Arrivals and departures at regional airfields and heliports are subject to special rules and flights require a permit.
Parliament approved CHF 2.55 million each for the deployment of the army at the WEF Annual Meetings in 2022, 2023 and 2024. This is less than in previous years because the WEF Foundation is contributing more to these costs than in the past.
Numerous WEF guests are expected to travel to Davos via Zurich Airport. According to a statement issued on Monday, the airport is expecting around 1,000 additional flight movements, roughly the same number as in previous years.
In addition to business jets and helicopter flights, state aircraft are expected in Zurich. The airport will be flying Boeing 747-800s, 747-900s and 777s as well as Airbus 330s and 340s, and offers longer opening hours on the spectator terrace in Terminal B and special tours for aviation fans and aircraft spotters.
©Keystone/SDA
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