From May 22 to 26, the Austrian Armed Forces will be providing increased security in Austrian airspace on the occasion of the World Economic Forum in Davos (Switzerland). For this purpose, a restricted flight area was established over parts of Vorarlberg and Tyrol. More than 1,000 soldiers and 20 aircraft, ten fixed-wing aircraft and ten helicopters, are ensuring the safety of the event and protecting the local population from dangers from the air.
“In order for major events to take place at all, it is necessary to ensure the safety of the event participants as well as the local population. This applies both on the ground and in the air. With the airspace security operation ‘Daedalus22’, the Austrian Air Force, in cooperation with its Swiss comrades, is demonstrating its high level of expertise in carrying out this cross-border operation,” says Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner.
Flights across the national border are constantly being intensified between Austria and Switzerland as part of the further development of cooperation. These pursuit flights are made possible by the mutual granting of entry permits. The agreement between the Republic of Austria and the Swiss Confederation on cooperation in the area of cross-border airspace security against non-military threats from the air has been in full force and effect since February 1, 2019.
In the event of airspace violations close to borders, “cross-border operations” ensure that aircraft that do not comply with international aviation guidelines are monitored and escorted by each other. This ensures the observation of aircraft, but above all the early handover between the air forces of two countries. However, the use of weapons in neighboring airspace is not permitted. Similar cross-border police cooperation has already existed on the ground for years. It enables pursuits to be extended to neighboring national territory.
Due to the proximity of Davos to the border, Switzerland requested that surveillance of Austrian airspace in the affected area be stepped up.
