Press releases, 11.06.2021

At its meeting on 11 June 2021, the Federal Council approved a temporary restriction on the use of airspace during the summit between President Biden and President Putin from 15 to 17 June 2021 in Geneva. The Swiss Air Force will provide air policing and tighter airspace surveillance. The armed forces will also set up a support service to assist the civilian authorities in providing security on a subsidiary basis.

In order to ensure adequate security during the meeting in Geneva between the US president Joe Biden and the Russian president Vladimir Putin, the Federal Council has approved a temporary restriction on the use of airspace in the Geneva area from 15 to 17 June 2021. As this is a high-level international summit, such a measure is necessary to ensure security during the event. Switzerland is obliged to ensure the protection of persons who enjoy special protection under international law, such as the American and Russian heads of state. The Swiss Air Force will provide air policing and tightened airspace surveillance.

The use of airspace in the zone above the Place des Nations in Geneva will be restricted from Tuesday 15 June 2021 8am local time until Thursday 17 June 2021 5pm local time. Commercial flights to and from Geneva International Airport will not be affected by the restriction.  

Role of the armed forces

At its meeting the Federal Council also approved the subsidiary deployment of a maximum of 1,000 military personnel in support of the Geneva cantonal authorities. In particular, the armed forces will be responsible for protecting foreign representations and will provide equipment to the Geneva cantonal police for air and lake transport. These measures complement the security measures put in place by the cantonal authorities. They do not involve any additional expenditure for the Confederation, as they are covered by the ordinary budget.


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Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports DDPS
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Last update 19.07.2023

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