The World Economic Forum’s 56th Annual Meeting has kicked off with what Swiss daily Blick calls a “record storm” of arrivals. More than 3,000 participants from 130 countries – including 65 heads of state – began landing in Switzerland on 19 January, triggering the most intense week of diplomatic, business-jet and VIP charter traffic the country has ever handled.
Zurich Airport expects roughly 1,000 extra flight movements through 24 January, while Geneva has introduced mandatory parking permissions for all business-aviation arrivals. Swiss air-traffic managers say up to 500 private jets will rotate through the network, in addition to Air Force One and multiple military transports supporting the US delegation. Planespotters have been warned that the LS-R 13 air-space closure around Davos means helicopters will fly in convoy and fixed-wing flights must follow narrow corridors, slowing overall traffic flow.
For delegates still finalising their travel paperwork, VisaHQ can streamline the process of securing Schengen visas or other required entry documents. Its Switzerland portal (https://www.visahq.com/switzerland/) lets users complete applications online, track status in real time and access expert support—helping WEF attendees focus on meeting logistics rather than embassy queues.
![Record influx of 3,000+ leaders to Davos creates busiest travel week in Swiss history]()
On the ground, canton Graubünden has erected ring-fenced security zones with vehicle checkpoints and badge requirements for residents. Travellers driving or taking the Rhaetian Railway to Davos are advised to budget extra time for ID inspections and random baggage scans. Hoteliers in nearby Klosters report 100 % occupancy, pushing overflow delegations to St. Gallen and even Liechtenstein.
For mobility managers the practical impact is clear: outbound commercial seats ex-Zurich and ex-Geneva between 22-24 January are already priced 40-60 % above seasonal averages, and re-booking windows are restricted. Organisations sending staff to Davos should secure flexible tickets, pre-book rail transfers and monitor NOTAMs for last-minute slot changes.
The upside for Switzerland is a projected CHF 90 million injection into the local economy, but the logistical strain illustrates why authorities cap ground times at Zurich to two hours and limit helicopter operations to daylight windows.
Zurich Airport expects roughly 1,000 extra flight movements through 24 January, while Geneva has introduced mandatory parking permissions for all business-aviation arrivals. Swiss air-traffic managers say up to 500 private jets will rotate through the network, in addition to Air Force One and multiple military transports supporting the US delegation. Planespotters have been warned that the LS-R 13 air-space closure around Davos means helicopters will fly in convoy and fixed-wing flights must follow narrow corridors, slowing overall traffic flow.
For delegates still finalising their travel paperwork, VisaHQ can streamline the process of securing Schengen visas or other required entry documents. Its Switzerland portal (https://www.visahq.com/switzerland/) lets users complete applications online, track status in real time and access expert support—helping WEF attendees focus on meeting logistics rather than embassy queues.
On the ground, canton Graubünden has erected ring-fenced security zones with vehicle checkpoints and badge requirements for residents. Travellers driving or taking the Rhaetian Railway to Davos are advised to budget extra time for ID inspections and random baggage scans. Hoteliers in nearby Klosters report 100 % occupancy, pushing overflow delegations to St. Gallen and even Liechtenstein.
For mobility managers the practical impact is clear: outbound commercial seats ex-Zurich and ex-Geneva between 22-24 January are already priced 40-60 % above seasonal averages, and re-booking windows are restricted. Organisations sending staff to Davos should secure flexible tickets, pre-book rail transfers and monitor NOTAMs for last-minute slot changes.
The upside for Switzerland is a projected CHF 90 million injection into the local economy, but the logistical strain illustrates why authorities cap ground times at Zurich to two hours and limit helicopter operations to daylight windows.
