Sachin Walls
Did you know that there are airports that are managed by more than one country? One such airport is the EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, which is located right next to the spot where the borders of France, Switzerland, and Germany meet. The airport is on French soil and under French jurisdiction, but Switzerland has extraterritorial rights, allowing Swiss authorities to apply Swiss laws regarding customs, medical services, and police work in the Swiss section. Another example is Gibraltar Airport, which is located on disputed territory claimed by both the UK and Spain. These unique airports showcase the international cooperation and agreements that shape their operations and management.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Airport | EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg |
| Countries | France, Switzerland, Germany |
| Location | Close to the border of all three countries |
| History | Basel, Switzerland wanted an airport but lacked the space. France had the space but lacked the money. The two countries agreed to a joint development effort, starting just after World War II. |
| Jurisdiction | Entirely on French soil and under French jurisdiction. However, Swiss authorities can apply Swiss laws regarding customs, medical services, and police work in the Swiss section. |
| Other Information | The road leading from the airport to Basel is Swiss property. There is a French and a Swiss sector, with a divide in the middle of the terminal. |
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What You'll Learn
EuroAirport is split between France and Switzerland
EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg is one of the few airports in the world that is jointly operated by two countries: France and Switzerland. The airport is located entirely on French soil, just 4.7 km (2.9 mi) west of the tripoint of France, Germany, and Switzerland. Despite being situated in France, the airport has a Swiss customs border and is connected to the Swiss customs area by a 2.5-kilometre (1.6 mi) customs-free road to Basel, allowing travellers to bypass French customs clearance when entering Switzerland.
The unique setup of EuroAirport is the result of its development history. Basel, Switzerland wanted an airport but lacked the space, while France had the available land near the town of Mulhouse but lacked the necessary funds. The two countries agreed to a joint development effort starting just after World War II. The airport is governed by a 1946 treaty, which grants both Switzerland and France access to the airport without any customs or other border restrictions.
The airport building is physically divided into two separate sections: one Swiss and one French. Each section has its own border and customs checkpoints, staffed by officers from their respective countries. The Swiss authorities have the right to apply Swiss laws regarding customs, medical services, and police work in the Swiss section, while French police can conduct random checks in this area as well. The headquarters of Swiss International Air Lines and Swiss Global Air Lines are located in the Swiss section of the airport, and this area can only be accessed from Switzerland.
The entry of Switzerland into the European Union's Schengen visa area in March 2009 further softened the divide between the two sectors. It became possible to walk unimpeded between the two sides land-side, and the air side was rearranged to include a Schengen and non-Schengen zone. Passengers arriving from non-Schengen countries must now approach the customs office of the country for which they received their Schengen entry visa, either France or Switzerland.
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The airport building has French and Swiss sections
The EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is unusual in that it is an airport designed from the outset as a bi-national facility. The airport is situated in France, near the town of Mulhouse, and is entirely on French soil and under French jurisdiction. However, due to a joint development effort between France and Switzerland, the airport building has both French and Swiss sections. Switzerland has extraterritorial rights at the airport, allowing Swiss authorities to apply Swiss laws regarding customs, medical services, and police work in the Swiss section, including the customs road connecting Basel with the airport.
The Swiss section of the airport is accessible through a one-way door in a dividing wall in the middle of the terminal. Although the two sides are separate, it is possible to walk between them by going upstairs, crossing over, and then coming back down. Each sector has its own border and customs checkpoints, with officers from their respective countries. The French police are also allowed to conduct random checks in the Swiss section.
The unique setup of the EuroAirport is a result of the post-World War II development history of the region. Basel, Switzerland, wanted an airport but lacked the space, while France had available space near Mulhouse but lacked the necessary funds. The two countries agreed to collaborate on the airport's development, resulting in an airport financed by Switzerland but located on French territory.
The EuroAirport serves three cities: Basel in Switzerland, Mulhouse in France, and Freiburg in Germany. Basel is the largest and closest city to the airport. The airport's location near the borders of France, Switzerland, and Germany makes it a convenient travel hub for passengers travelling to or from any of these three countries.
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A wall separates the two countries within the terminal
EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is an airport that sits on two countries' soil. The airport is located right next to the spot where the borders of France, Switzerland, and Germany meet. The airport is in France and is under French jurisdiction, but Switzerland has extraterritorial rights, making it, for all intents and purposes, a Swiss airport as well. The airport building is split into two sections: Swiss and French. Each sector has its border and customs checkpoints, staffed by officers from the respective countries.
The two sectors are separated by a wall within the terminal. This wall has a one-way door that allows people to cross from one side to the other. However, it is not clearly marked which side is which country, and one might not even realize they have crossed into another country. To get back to the other side, one must go upstairs, cross over, and then come back down.
The airport came to be in its unique location due to a joint development effort between France and Switzerland. Basel, Switzerland, wanted an airport but lacked the space, while France had the space near the town of Mulhouse but lacked the money. The two countries agreed to work together, and the result is an airport that is in France but with portions lying in Switzerland.
Another airport that sits on two countries is Gibraltar Airport, which is located on the edge of Gibraltar's isthmus, just meters away from the Spanish border. The airport was built on land that Spain claims was not included in the Treaty of Utrecht, through which the Rock was ceded to Britain. In 2006, the UK and Spain agreed that the new airport terminal would be accessible through the Spanish side. However, the dispute over sovereignty continues, and Gibraltar's airspace is blocked from the proposed European Single Sky initiative by Spain.
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Swiss authorities apply Swiss laws in the Swiss section
The EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is located entirely within French territory, but a portion of the airport extends into Switzerland. This unique arrangement is due to the airport's development history: Basel, Switzerland, lacked the space to build an airport, while France had the necessary space near the town of Mulhouse but lacked the funds. As a result, the two countries agreed to a joint development effort after World War II. Despite being on French soil, Switzerland has extraterritorial rights at the airport due to a special bilateral treaty, making it functionally a Swiss airport as well.
The airport building is divided into two sections, one Swiss and one French, each with its own border and customs checkpoints. Swiss authorities apply Swiss laws regarding customs, medical services, and police work in the Swiss section, including the customs road connecting Basel to the airport. For example, Switzerland's Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration (FNIA) requires carriers to transmit Advance Passenger Information (API) of all passengers to the Swiss authorities. Additionally, the Federal Customs Administration can require carriers and airport operators to transmit passenger data for up to six months after transport. However, French police are permitted to conduct random checks in the Swiss section.
The Swiss section of the airport also follows specific Swiss regulations and requirements. For instance, Swiss airport authorities levy various charges, including landing charges, noise charges based on noise classes, pollution charges based on emission classes, parking charges, passenger charges, cargo charges, and security charges. These charges must be non-discriminatory, with users bearing their share of the costs of accessing the airport as per national laws and the Chicago Convention. Furthermore, Swiss airports must adhere to operational regulations (Betriebsreglement) that address safety, environmental issues, noise protection, and slot allocations.
Switzerland's membership in various international agreements also impacts the application of Swiss laws at the airport. As a signatory to the Montreal Convention, Switzerland applies liability rules to domestic and international air accidents. The country's agreement with the European Union on air transport gives the EU control over competition concentration matters. Additionally, Switzerland's participation in the Schengen Agreement allows unimpeded movement between the French and Swiss sectors of the airport.
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The airport is accessible through the Spanish side
The EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is accessible through the Spanish side. Located right next to the spot where the borders of France, Switzerland and Germany meet, the airport serves three different cities: Basel in Switzerland, Mulhouse in France, and Freiburg in Germany. Although the airport lies entirely on French territory, Switzerland enjoys some extraterritorial rights. This is due to a special bilateral treaty, which makes EuroAirport, for many purposes, a Swiss airport as well as a French one. As a result, there is a French and a Swiss sector, with the divide cutting right through the middle of the terminal. Each sector has its own border and customs checkpoints, which are staffed by officers from the respective countries.
The airport's unique setup is a result of its development history. Basel, Switzerland wanted an airport but lacked the space, while France had the space near the town of Mulhouse but lacked the money. The two countries agreed to a joint development effort, starting just after World War II. The end result is an airport in France, paid for by Switzerland, and with portions of the airport physically in Switzerland. The road leading from the airport to Basel is also Swiss property.
Despite the airport being under French jurisdiction, Swiss authorities have the right to apply Swiss laws regarding customs, medical services, and police work in the Swiss section, including the customs road connecting Basel with the airport. However, French police are allowed to execute random checks in the Swiss section. Since 2008, it has been possible to walk unimpeded between the two sectors land-side.
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Frequently asked questions
EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is located right next to the spot where the borders of France, Switzerland and Germany meet. The airport is on French soil and under French jurisdiction, but Switzerland has extraterritorial rights, allowing it to apply Swiss laws regarding customs, medical services and police work in the Swiss section.
Basel, Switzerland wanted an airport, but lacked the space. France had the space near the town of Mulhouse, but lacked the money. The two countries agreed to a joint development effort, starting just after World War II.
Gibraltar Airport is located on disputed territory. It was built before World War II at the edge of Gibraltar’s isthmus, just metres away from the Spanish border, on land that Spain claims was not included in the Treaty of Utrecht, by which the Rock was ceded to Britain.
