The figure was released on Monday by charter flight company Air Charter Service (ACS) that has been monitoring flight activity during the event since 2013. Last year’s summit saw a record 1,300 flights, an increase of 11% compared to 2017.
“If we see a similar increase this year, we could be looking at almost 1,500 aircraft movements over the six days,” said Andy Christie, Private Jets Director at ACS.
Davos does not have its own airport and many attendees choose to fly in by helicopter from nearby airports. According to Christie, the four main airfields preferred by private jet users attending WEF are Zurich, Dübendorf, St. Gallen-Altenrhein and St. Moritz.
Top countries in terms of arrivals and departures of private jets to WEF are Germany, France, US, UK, Russia and the UAE.
“We have had bookings from as far as our operations in Hong Kong, India and the US – no other event has the same global appeal,” said Christie.
Attendees are increasingly opting for bigger jets such as Gulfstream GVs and Global Expresses.
“This is at least in part due to some of the long distances travelled, but also possibly due to business rivals not wanting to be seen to be outdone by one another,” said Christie.
Climate change
The increase in private jet flights runs contrary to the importance given to climate change on the summit’s agenda. The WEF’s own Global Risks Perception Survey of nearly 1,000 decision-makers listed extreme weather and climate-change policy failures as the gravest threat over a ten-year horizon.
Organisers of the event say that the emissions are offset by environmental initiatives. This year participants taking the train will be be partially reimbursed.
“Most private aircraft are chartered by political leaders because it is more efficient and safer,” Dominique Waughray, head of Global Public Goods at WEF told the press agency AFP. “So it’s more of a security measure, but we still compensate for it.”
More
More
Davos’s main runway, Zurich
This content was published on
A look behind the scenes in the WEF control room at Zurich Airport, and at how motorcades are checked before accessing the runway.
North African asylum claims fall after rapid Swiss processing
This content was published on
The accelerated procedure, now out of its test phase, has resulted in a significant drop in applications from North African countries.
This content was published on
The artist's song "The Code" focuses on their journey as a nonbinary individual. It is one of the favourites to win this year's contest.
Swiss climate activists block vehicles near Gotthard tunnel
This content was published on
Around ten climate activists briefly blocked the A2 motorway near the northern entrance of the Gotthard tunnel on Thursday.
Watches belonging to Michael Schumacher up for auction
This content was published on
Schumacher's family is auctioning off eight rare watches from his collection in Geneva. The Christie's auction will take place on Monday.
Joya Marleen and Baschi named best solo acts at Swiss Music Awards
This content was published on
St. Gallen singer Joya Marleen and Baschi from Basel were named artists of the year at the Swiss Music Awards 2024 on Wednesday night.
Swiss authorities announce cost-cutting in asylum sector
This content was published on
The government notably wants to improve integration into the labour force, particularly for people with protection status S.
After boycott threat, Russia will send top envoys to WEF
This content was published on
Russia will participate in the next World Economic Forum (WEF). Moscow had threatened to boycott the Davos meeting if its businessmen were excluded.
First ‘homemade’ Swiss business jet approved for take off
This content was published on
Pilatus revealed on Friday that the PC-24 jet had obtained type certificates from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This clears the ground for the planes to be delivered to customers abroad. “The PC-24 is fully produced and assembled in Stans, Switzerland. Of course, we also buy components…
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.