Bern-Belp, Geneva, Locarno, St. Gallen-Altenrhein, Zurich-Kloten - these names awaken the wanderlust of travel enthusiasts. But if you're not going on holiday by plane this summer, you can still experience the fascination of aviation up close in Switzerland: From historic sites to modern airports – Switzerland's air navigation service provider Skyguide showcases a selection of airfields that offer special access to Swiss aviation.
Airfields allow visitors to get up close and personal with the happenings of aviation. From observing air traffic to guided tours and interactive exhibitions, they offer varied experiences for young and old. An airport is not only an important hub for air traffic, but also a place where visitors can experience the fascination of aviation at first hand. This is how travel enthusiasts discover exciting destinations and experience aviation from a new perspective.
Swiss places on the ground offering special access to the destination “airspace”:
Alpnach Airfield – Swiss Air Force military airfield and helicopter competence centre: Groups of ten or more can book a guided tour at the Swiss Air Force helicopter competence centre and learn lots of exciting facts about the Alpnach military airfield and everything around it.
Bern-Belp Airfield – airfield for private and business flights: In summer, things get lively around Bern-Belp airfield because the Giessenbad is in the immediate vicinity. The beautiful open-air swimming pool guarantees fun, closeness to nature and, in addition to the view of the mountains, a great view of the arrivals and departures at the airfield.
Dübendorf Airfield and Control Centre – military airfield for transport helicopters and aircraft as well as a Skyguide location: A visit to the “Flieger-Flab Museum” in Dübendorf allows you to experience the history of Swiss military aviation and air defence. In this aircraft hangar, you can marvel at the development of the machines, sit in the cockpit of a Pilatus P-3 flight simulator and fly through the hangar with the typical engine noise. A guided tour of Skyguide in Dübendorf provides an insight into the fascinating activities of Swiss air traffic control. Visitors learn what it takes to guide civil and military flights safely and efficiently through Europe’s busiest airspace. Guided tours in German are available on request (www.skyguide.ch/guided-tours) in Dübendorf.
Emmen Airfield – military airfield, base of the Patrouille Suisse: At the Museum of Transport on the Lido in Lucerne – not far from Emmen airfield –, children and adults can experience a lot: In the Skyguide exhibition, you can playfully guide an aircraft through the airspace, climb the Matterhorn with virtual reality goggles and recreate flights in flight simulators. For enthusiasts of older transport objects, there are all kinds of nostalgic things to discover, while space fans will also get their money’s worth in the planetarium.
Geneva-Cointrin Airport and Control Centre – International Commercial Airport: The view of Lake Geneva and the Alps is particularly beautiful from the second highest mountain in the Swiss Jura: La Dôle (1677 m above sea level), on the border with France, offers the opportunity to observe chamois in summer. Those interested can marvel at Skyguide’s radar installation on the summit, which is used to monitor Geneva Airport’s airspace and is being renovated this summer. A guided tour at Skyguide’s headquarters in Geneva also provides an insight into the fascinating activities of Swiss air traffic control. Visitors will learn what it takes to guide civil and military flights safely and efficiently through Europe’s busiest airspace. Guided tours in French are available on request (www.skyguide.ch/guided-tours) in Geneva.
Locarno-Magadino airfield – military and private airfield: Just under ten minutes by car or a good half hour on foot from Locarno airfield, adventure-seekers can whiz from tree to tree at the Gordola Rope Park. The suspended adventure park offers something for everyone, even for those who prefer to take it a little easier. The combination of movement, thrills and nature experience makes this excursion unforgettable.
Payerne Air Base – military airfield, airfield for business flights: Right next to Payerne Air Base is the “Clin d’Ailes” military aircraft museum. Outside, the coolest planes fly through the air and you can take photos of machines such as the F/A-18 Hornet, the F-5 Tiger, the Super Pumas or the Eurocopter EC635. Inside the museum there are exciting things to see, such as old documents, films and an exhibition on the cultural and historical heritage of the squadrons and the air forces provide an insight into Swiss military aviation.
St. Gallen-Altenrhein airfield – regional airfield, airfield for private and business flights: Right next to the St. Gallen-Altenrhein airfield is the “FFA”, the Altenrhein Aviation and Vehicle Museum. The museum keeps the legends of the air alive with oldtimers that are still airworthy, air shows and educational guided tours. Children love the Carrera track and the flight simulators. A visit to the roof terrace is also worthwhile: from here you can watch the planes taking off and landing.
Zurich-Kloten Airport – Switzerland’s largest commercial airport: The ten-kilometre-long ridge between Baden and Dielsdorf, the Lägern, resembles a sleeping dinosaur when viewed from a distance. You can climb it shortly after the Skyguide radar station at Lägern-Hochwacht. Continue over the ridge – the view is spectacular.
Further tips for excursions to Skyguide’s 14 locations can be found in the book “Sky Guide – The guide to airspace”. The book is available in all Swiss bookshops or via the following website www.skyguide.ch/media-centre/publications.
