Swiss Fighters Stay On Ground During Hijack
Swiss Hornets played no part in the hijack drama as an Ethiopian 767 landed at Geneva. The defense ministry is working to secure funds to allow a reinstatement of 24-hour air defense coverage. (Swiss Air Force)
Swiss Hornets played no part in the hijack drama as an Ethiopian 767 landed at Geneva. The defense ministry is working to secure funds to allow a reinstatement of 24-hour air defense coverage. (Swiss Air Force)

On February 17 the copilot of an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 767 hijacked the aircraft single-handedly and flew to Geneva airport to seek political asylum. Although both Italian and French military aircraft were scrambled to escort the 767, the fighters of the Swiss Air Force remained firmly on the ground. A Swiss air force spokesman confirmed that no interceptors were on alert at the time, as the air force operates to office hours only, or by special notification. However, the air force was keen to point out that it could have generated interceptor sorties given more warning. Moreover, the country has agreements with France and Italy that allow fighters from those countries to enter Swiss airspace in such circumstances, but they are not permitted to fire weapons.

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