Swiss minister grounded because French misread plane ID
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.
First large-scale alpine solar plant approved in Switzerland
This content was published on
The approval was met with satisfaction by the project's organisers, but it also brings with it a certain amount of pressure.
Medieval squirrels may have ‘helped spread leprosy’
This content was published on
An examination of squirrel remains in the United Kingdom has opened up interesting questions and possibilities in terms of the history of the disease.
Swiss money laundering office registers record number of reports
This content was published on
The Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland (MROS) registered a record number of reports of suspicious activity last year.
Two teens accused of planning terror attack released from custody
This content was published on
The Schaffhausen judiciary has released the two teenagers from custody who allegedly planned bomb attacks in Switzerland.
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.