French aviation authorities reportedly mistook a letter in the registration number of the Cessna being flown by Swiss Interior Minister Alain Berset over a restricted military area. As a result Berset did not react to French warnings, triggering a military response.
This content was published on
1 minute
Keystone-SDA/ts
Português
pt
Erro de comunicação da França obrigou Ministro suíço a aterrissar
Berset’s plane was forced to land by the French military after he accidentally flew too close to the Avord military airbase in central France on July 5. He was allowed to continue his private flight after identifying himself and showing the necessary customs approvals.
However, the SonntagsZeitung revealedExternal link that during his flight from Ecuvillens near Fribourg to Châtellerault in western France Berset was called three times by radio with the aircraft identification “HB-TOR”. But the identification of his rented aircraft was actually “HB-TDR”,
More
More
France opts not to charge Swiss minister for flight violation
This content was published on
Swiss Interior Minister Alain Berset has avoided legal proceedings in France after flying a light aircraft into restricted airspace.
Aviation experts told the newspaper that Berset had not responded to the call because he didn’t think the authorities’ alerts were meant for him. Berset did not make a statement on the report. The interior ministry and the French Embassy in Bern also did not want to comment on the report when asked by the Swiss News Agency Keystone-SDA.
The incident generated a lot of coverage in the Swiss media, with reactions ranging from amusement to calls for Berset’s resignation.
Berset has held a pilot’s licence since 2009 and occasionally rents light aircraft for private flights, according to the interior ministry.
More
More
Down-to-earth Swiss president raises eyebrows
This content was published on
Images of the Swiss president sitting on the ground in New York have sparked a conversation on social media. For the Swiss, it’s business-as-usual.
Swiss institute hosted informal talks between Russians, Ukrainians and Americans
This content was published on
The Geneva Center for Security Policy (GCSP) has hosted 10 meetings between Russian and Ukrainian interlocutors since the start of the war.
Automated driving on Swiss motorways is theoretically possible from March
This content was published on
It will be theoretically possible to hand over the steering wheel to technology but no such system has been submitted for official approval yet.
Heated atmosphere at Swiss rally against AfD politician Alice Weidel
This content was published on
Around 250 people demonstrated "against the right" and the German AfD politician Alice Weidel on Saturday afternoon in Einsiedeln.
This content was published on
The Ethos Foundation recommends that shareholders vote against all compensation-related items at the Annual General Meeting on March 7.
Top Swiss firms close to reaching gender quota in boards
This content was published on
The proportion of women on the boards of directors of the fifty largest listed companies in Switzerland currently stands at 28%.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
French air police ground Swiss interior minister’s private flight
This content was published on
The Swiss interior minister, Alain Berset, on a private flight in neighbouring France has been forced to land by the French air force.
Parliament probe clears Swiss minister in blackmail affair
This content was published on
The Swiss parliament has exonerated Interior Minister Alain Berset of abusing state resources to handle an attempt by a citizen to blackmail him.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.