A ministry spokesman said Berset misinterpreted information from the French air traffic control tower prompting an intervention by the French air force last week.
Berset was able to continue his flight with the hired Cessna light aircraft following an identity check and further inquiries, according to the spokesman.
The Neue Zürcher Zeitung newspaper on Tuesday reported that Berset, who has a pilot licence for small aircraft, had taken off from western Switzerland on a private flight over several stages.
He reportedly approached the closed airspace above a command centre of a French military air base about 300km from the Swiss border.
Berset has been in the Swiss news over the past few years over a blackmail affair in a reported extramarital relationship.
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.
Living longer: What do you think about the longevity trend?
The longevity market is booming thanks in part to advances in the science of ageing. What do you think of the idea of significantly extending human lifespan?
Swiss president visits region affected by glacier collapse
This content was published on
Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter spoke with communities affected by the Birch glacier collapse, which buried the village of Blatten.
This content was published on
On Saturday the Lake Geneva, Valais and Basel regions are expected to record the first tropical day of the year, with temperatures exceeding 30°C.
This content was published on
The Swiss economy saw the clouds that had gathered over its prospects lift somewhat in May. However, the KOF economic barometer is still below its long-term average.
Direct operations too dangerous in Swiss landslide valley
This content was published on
By Friday morning 365 people had been forced to leave their homes because of Wednesday's landslide in the Swiss village of Blatten.
Franco-Swiss raclette war set to be settled on Sunday
This content was published on
The battle for the world's largest raclette will be transformed on Sunday in Saint-Gingolph, canton Valais, into a raclette of friendship served at the border.
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
Attempt to blackmail Swiss interior minister under investigation
This content was published on
A woman who tried to blackmail Swiss Interior Minister Alain Berset last year has been fined after retracting her claims against him, it has emerged.
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.