Overview: a growing risk to Swiss aviation
Across Europe, drones over critical infrastructure have become an unsettling trend. In Switzerland, authorities and media reports paint a picture of a sector that is aware of the risk but still catching up with practical protections. The Swiss aviation sector is grappling with a rising number of incidents involving drones near aircraft, a concern underscored by the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (OFAC) statistics cited by Swiss outlets: 68 potentially risky incidents in 2024 and more than 50 already logged this year. While most offenders are hobby pilots, the potential for harm remains high as drones shrink in size, but often grow in capability.
What Swiss airports are already doing
Not all Swiss airports have the same level of drone defense. Saint-Gall-Altenrhein stands out as a pioneer, having introduced a passive drone detection system that reports the drone’s position and live image to the control tower. Zurich Airport has rolled out an operational system since the start of 2025. Geneva and Basel-Mulhouse, by contrast, have been vague about specific protective measures, citing security concerns, though Geneva indicates it has action plans in case of a drone attack. Bern-Belp, which handles state visits and foreign delegations, still lacks a dedicated anti-drone system, with officials arguing the cost would be prohibitive for a regional airport.
Technical vulnerability and ease of misuse
The threat is described by security experts as technically approachable and dangerously real. Drones sold on the consumer market often include geofencing meant to keep them away from sensitive sites, but those geofences can be bypassed by users with the necessary know-how. A stark reminder comes from robotics professor Roland Siegwart, who notes that a modest quadcopter—priced around 1,000 francs—can potentially carry 500 grams of explosive material and cause significant damage if directed at an aircraft. The simplicity of the weaponized drone threat has raised alarms about how quickly a hobbyist drone can become a weapon of choice for a disruption or attack.
Defense is complex and imperfect
Swiss forces are experimenting with jamming technologies that disrupt drone control signals, yet these methods are not a panacea. Jammers can interfere with civilian communication networks as well, creating new security considerations. An internal review revealed that the Swiss Army lacks a fully effective, scalable solution, underscoring the challenge of protecting large airspaces from a plethora of drone types and operators. The Meiringen airfield and other sensitive sites highlight the multi-layered risk that requires a blend of detection, interdiction, and land-side security measures rather than a single fix.
Budget and strategic response
Facing these lacunae, the Department of Defense plans to invest up to 100 million Swiss francs by 2033. However, experts warn that this funding may be insufficient to deliver robust, nationwide protections given the rapid evolution of drone technologies and the breadth of Swiss airspace. The current funding also raises questions about prioritization, implementation timelines, and the balance between protecting critical infrastructure and maintaining civil aviation operations. In parallel, officials are weighing regulatory enhancements, cross-border cooperation, and the integration of detection networks with air traffic management to build a more resilient defense in depth.
What this means for the flying public
For travelers, the immediate implication is a more vigilant but still evolving security landscape. The Swiss example reflects a broader EU concern: how to shield busy airports from a wave of small, agile aerial devices without hamstringing legitimate air travel. The situation calls for transparent timelines, measurable milestones, and a clearly communicated risk management strategy to reassure passengers, airlines, and international partners that Swiss airports are tightening defenses in a methodical, technically grounded way.
Looking ahead
The path forward likely involves a layered approach: improved detection near runways, targeted interdiction capabilities that do not unduly disrupt air traffic, hardened perimeter security, and ongoing training for staff and air traffic controllers. As drone technology becomes more accessible, Switzerland’s challenge will be to translate policy into practical, scalable protections across all airports, large and small, while balancing civil liberties and operational efficiency.
