Davos, Europe’s tallest city, has become synonymous with the World Economic Forum (WEF), the annual meeting of the world’s most powerful people, and requires heavy security arrangements. Some 5,000 Swiss military personnel have taken control of this small skiing resort town to ensure the safety of its guests of the world’s rich and powerful for the next week. These security personnel also include people equipped with the latest gadgets like drones and artificial intelligence (AI) powered devices. With the deployment of thousands of soldiers, the number of police and civilian personnel deployed for the security of this small resort town has also increased.
The Swiss Armed Forces said in a statement that in 2025 the armed forces will once again support local authorities in the canton of Graubünden in carrying out security tasks in connection with the WEF annual meeting. The Swiss Parliament has approved the deployment of a maximum of 5,000 troops on support missions for such events from 2025 to 2027. This year the WEF meeting will be held from 20-24 January. However, the mission of the Swiss Army will run from 14 to 30 January.
Air traffic will be restricted in Swiss, Austrian and Liechtenstein areas within a radius of 25 nautical miles (about 46 km) from the center of Davos. Access to and departure from regional airports and heliports must follow special rules and procedures prepared by the Swiss Air Force and the Federal Office of Civil Aviation. Can be flown only on designated visual flight paths. All these flights will be under authority; Authorization requires validation of both the pilot and the aircraft. Even after recognition, requests can be made to the Air Force for each flight.
The Air Force will then decide whether to grant permission according to requirements and security considerations. The Swiss Air Force will support local authorities with air transport and surveillance flights using helicopters, propeller planes and fighter planes. Therefore, a considerable increase in military air activities can be expected even beyond the canton of Graubünden.
Davos has an estimated permanent population of about 10,000, although it is visited by tourists throughout the year, including skiing enthusiasts during the ski season. However, during the week of the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, it receives the highest number of tourists, and the population increases manifold. Apart from army personnel, thousands of policemen and women and support staff are also present. …and since it is skiing season, the number of tourists is also not less.
According to Swiss government data, more than 2,500 world leaders from business, politics, science and culture will be in Davos from January 20-24, including heads of state and government, ministers and high-level representatives of international organizations.
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