French aviation authorities reportedly mistook a letter in the registration number of the Cessna being flown by Swiss Interior Minister Alain Berset over a restricted military area. As a result Berset did not react to French warnings, triggering a military response.
This content was published on
1 minute
Keystone-SDA/ts
Português
pt
Erro de comunicação da França obrigou Ministro suíço a aterrissar
Berset’s plane was forced to land by the French military after he accidentally flew too close to the Avord military airbase in central France on July 5. He was allowed to continue his private flight after identifying himself and showing the necessary customs approvals.
However, the SonntagsZeitung revealedExternal link that during his flight from Ecuvillens near Fribourg to Châtellerault in western France Berset was called three times by radio with the aircraft identification “HB-TOR”. But the identification of his rented aircraft was actually “HB-TDR”,
More
More
France opts not to charge Swiss minister for flight violation
This content was published on
Swiss Interior Minister Alain Berset has avoided legal proceedings in France after flying a light aircraft into restricted airspace.
Aviation experts told the newspaper that Berset had not responded to the call because he didn’t think the authorities’ alerts were meant for him. Berset did not make a statement on the report. The interior ministry and the French Embassy in Bern also did not want to comment on the report when asked by the Swiss News Agency Keystone-SDA.
The incident generated a lot of coverage in the Swiss media, with reactions ranging from amusement to calls for Berset’s resignation.
Berset has held a pilot’s licence since 2009 and occasionally rents light aircraft for private flights, according to the interior ministry.
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.
What factors should be taken into account when inheriting Swiss citizenship abroad?
Should there be a limit to the passing on of Swiss citizenship? Or is the current practice too strict and it should still be possible to register after the age of 25?
Swiss government rejects initiative to cap population
This content was published on
On Friday, the government outlined its arguments against a proposal by the Swiss People’s Party to limit the population to 10 million.
Swiss justice minister concerned about more Schengen checks
This content was published on
At a meeting with his EU counterpart on Friday, Beat Jans expressed concern about the uptick in internal border checks in the Schengen Area.
This content was published on
Elisabeth Baume-Schneider has underlined the importance of stable funding for the Geneva-based World Health Organization.
This content was published on
Klaudia Reynicke’s film, set in 1990s Peru, was named the best Swiss feature of the year at a ceremony in Geneva on Friday.
Swiss-EU: Federal Council adopts measures to secure wage protection
This content was published on
The Swiss government has adopted a package of measures to protect Swiss wages, should the new agreements negotiated with the European Union (EU) come into force.
Switzerland must participate in EU Migration Pact, says government
This content was published on
As a signatory of Europe's Schengen/Dublin cooperation agreements, Switzerland must participate in the reform of the European migration and asylum system, says the government.
Switzerland steps up defence cooperation with NATO
This content was published on
On Friday, the Swiss government approved the country's participation in a Patriot missile project run by NATO's Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA).
Vaud government removes Valérie Dittli from finance minister role
This content was published on
The Vaud government announced on Friday that it had removed Valérie Dittli from her role as finance minister in the western Swiss region.
Swiss attorney general takes over suspected RUAG MRO fraud probe
This content was published on
The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) has taken over the criminal investigation into the case of alleged fraud at RUAG MRO, a Swiss military technology firm.
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
French air police ground Swiss interior minister’s private flight
This content was published on
The Swiss interior minister, Alain Berset, on a private flight in neighbouring France has been forced to land by the French air force.
Parliament probe clears Swiss minister in blackmail affair
This content was published on
The Swiss parliament has exonerated Interior Minister Alain Berset of abusing state resources to handle an attempt by a citizen to blackmail him.
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.