Ruth Haines
Davos, Switzerland, is known for hosting the annual World Economic Forum, which brings together business, political, and academic leaders from over 100 countries. With many attendees opting for private aviation, the event sees a high demand for private jets and helicopters. While Davos does not have its own airport, there are several nearby airports that cater to this influx of air traffic. So, which airports do visitors to Davos typically use?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nearest airport to Davos | Samedan St Moritz Airport |
| Distance from Samedan St Moritz Airport | 65km |
| Other airports used to access Davos | Zurich Airport, Friedrichshafen in Germany, Geneva Airport, EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, St. Gallen-Altenrhein Airport, Memmingen Airport, Innsbruck Kranebitten Airport, Milano Malpensa Airport |
| Distance from Zurich Airport | 148km or 169km |
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What You'll Learn
- The nearest airport to Davos is Samedan St Moritz Airport
- Zurich Airport is the most popular airport for Davos-bound travellers
- St. Gallen-Altenrhein and Engadin airports are alternatives
- Duebendorf military base is an option for private jets
- Other airports include Friedrichshafen, Geneva, and EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg
The nearest airport to Davos is Samedan St Moritz Airport
Davos, Switzerland, is a popular destination for private jets, particularly during the World Economic Forum, which is attended by business leaders, politicians, and academics from over 100 countries. The nearest airport to Davos is Samedan St Moritz Airport, which is approximately 65km away. Samedan St Moritz is a dedicated private jet airport, but it is also the second-highest airport in Europe and susceptible to weather problems. As a result, most travellers opt to fly into Zurich Airport, which is double the distance from Davos but offers similar driving times. Zurich Airport is the busiest during the World Economic Forum, with St. Gallen Airport and Samedan St. Moritz Airport also handling an increased number of flights for the event.
For those travelling by helicopter, the Duebendorf military base near Zurich provides an additional landing zone, with a one-hour helicopter ride to Davos. Other nearby international airports include Friedrichshafen in Germany, which is 153km from Davos, and Geneva Airport. For those willing to travel further, EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg on the border of Switzerland, France, and Germany is also an option, as are the airports in Memmingen, Germany, and Innsbruck, Austria, which are 136km and 175km from Davos, respectively.
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Zurich Airport is the most popular airport for Davos-bound travellers
Davos, Switzerland, is a popular destination for the world's elite, with billionaires and world leaders flying in for the annual World Economic Forum. Many attendees opt for private aviation to get to the event, leading to a high demand for private jets and helicopter charters.
While Davos does not have its own airport, Zurich Airport, located 148km or 169km away, is the most popular choice for travellers heading to the event. Zurich Airport handles the bulk of business aviation traffic during the forum, with around 60 jets guaranteed space there. It is fully booked well in advance, with some jets having to reposition in and out from other nearby airports.
The popularity of Zurich Airport among Davos-bound travellers is due to several factors. Firstly, it is a similar driving distance from Davos compared to the nearest airport, Samedan St Moritz Airport, which is located 65km or 116km away. Secondly, Zurich Airport offers less vulnerability to weather problems than the high-altitude Samedan, which is the second-highest airport in Europe.
In addition to Zurich and Samedan, other airports used to access Davos include Friedrichshafen in Germany, Geneva Airport, and EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg on the border of Switzerland, France, and Germany. The military airport in Dubendorf, near Zurich, also opens up during the World Economic Forum to ease congestion at Zurich Airport by providing additional parking for private aircraft.
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St. Gallen-Altenrhein and Engadin airports are alternatives
Davos, Switzerland, is a picturesque location that has previously hosted the World Economic Forum, an event that sees the skies above filled with private jets as billionaires and world leaders fly in from around the globe. While Davos itself does not have an airport, there are a few alternatives nearby. Zurich Airport, for example, handles the bulk of business aviation traffic during the forum, with around 60 jets guaranteed space. However, with limited slots and aircraft parking, private jets have also had to reposition from other nearby airports, such as St. Gallen-Altenrhein Airport and Engadin Airport.
St. Gallen-Altenrhein Airport (IATA: ACH, ICAO: LSZR) is a small airport in Altenrhein in the Canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland, near Lake Constance. It is easily accessible by motorway and offers fast connections to economically important regions, as well as well-known ski resorts. The airport is served by the airline People's (formerly People's Viennaline), which operates flights to and from Vienna. The airport features a small passenger terminal building and several apron and hangar stands for aircraft such as the Embraer 170, business jets, and general aviation planes like the Cessna 172. Due to the short length of its main runway, only smaller passenger aircraft, such as the Embraer E-Jets or the Bombardier Q Series, can be accommodated.
Engadin Airport, also known as Samedan Airport (IATA: SMV, ICAO: LSZS), is a regional airport in Samedan in the Engadin valley of Switzerland, just 5 km from St. Moritz. It is one of the five regional airports modernised by Swiss authorities after World War II to support primary urban airports. Because of its location at the bottom of a valley, it does not have an instrument landing system, and its elevation of 1,707 meters makes it the second-highest airliner airport in Europe. Engadin Airport is considered one of the most challenging airports in the world due to its difficult topography, winds, and thin air at its altitude.
Both St. Gallen-Altenrhein and Engadin airports offer alternatives for travellers heading to Davos when slots at Zurich Airport are unavailable or when a closer landing option is preferred. These airports showcase the range of options available to those flying into Davos, ensuring a smooth and efficient arrival process for the world's elite.
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Duebendorf military base is an option for private jets
Davos, Switzerland, is a picturesque location that hosts the annual World Economic Forum, bringing together business, political, and academic leaders from over 100 countries. Many attendees of this prestigious event opt for private aviation to get to Davos, resulting in a high demand for private jets and helicopter charters.
While Zurich Airport handles most of the incoming private jets, it often reaches full capacity, and alternative landing options are required. This is where the Duebendorf Military Base, situated northeast of Duebendorf and east of Zurich, comes into play. The base, home to the Swiss Air Force, opens up during the World Economic Forum to accommodate the influx of private aircraft.
Duebendorf Military Base serves as a relief airport when Zurich Airport is congested or fully booked. It provides a valuable option for private jets, offering parking space for approximately 40 aircraft. This option is particularly attractive to those who don't mind the subsequent one-hour helicopter ride to reach Davos.
The base has a rich history in aviation, dating back to 1910 when it first hosted an airshow. Over the years, it has been used by civil airlines and played a role in World War II, interning foreign military aircraft. Today, it continues to be a cornerstone of Swiss aviation, serving multiple functions, including search and rescue operations and parascout training.
In conclusion, Duebendorf Military Base is indeed an option for private jets during peak times in Zurich, offering a temporary solution to the challenge of limited slots and aircraft parking at Zurich Airport. This flexibility ensures the smooth arrival of delegates and attendees to the World Economic Forum in Davos.
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Other airports include Friedrichshafen, Geneva, and EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg
While Davos does not have its own airport, there are several airports nearby, including Friedrichshafen Airport, located about 2 miles north of Friedrichshafen, Germany. It is a minor international airport serving the German state of Baden-Württemberg and is the third-biggest airport in the state after Stuttgart and Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden. Friedrichshafen Airport features flights to European metropolitan and leisure destinations and is heavily used during the winter by skiing tourists due to its proximity to the Austrian Alps.
The airport has a rich history, with its first scheduled passenger flights taking off in 1929 with Deutsche Luft Hansa services to Stuttgart-Böblingen Airport. During World War 2, the airport played a crucial role in supplying engines and gearboxes for tanks, which were flown directly to battle locations. Over the years, the airport has undergone expansions and renovations, with new terminal buildings and runways constructed between 1988 and 1994, and another new terminal opened in 2010.
However, the airport has also faced challenges, with several airlines ceasing operations or terminating routes, impacting its domestic connections. Despite these setbacks, Friedrichshafen Airport remains a significant transportation hub, offering convenient access to the region for travellers.
In addition to Friedrichshafen Airport, Geneva and EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg also serve as alternative airports for those travelling to Davos. These airports provide additional options and connections for visitors attending the World Economic Forum or seeking winter sports and leisure activities in the region.
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Frequently asked questions
Davos does not have its own airport.
The nearest airport to Davos is Samedan St Moritz Airport, a dedicated private jet airport.
Samedan St Moritz Airport is approximately 65km from Davos.
Zurich Airport, St. Gallen-Altenrhein Airport, Memmingen Airport, Friedrichshafen Bodensee Airport, Innsbruck Kranebitten Airport, and Milano Malpensa Airport.
