Lake Constance Airport Friedrichshafen once again became the overflow gateway for the World Economic Forum, handling around 150 additional movements during conference week. Located just 80 kilometres from Davos by road, the regional airport is favoured by delegations whose corporate or government jets cannot secure scarce slots at Zurich or Altenrhein.
This year’s traffic surge was compounded by persistent Alpine fog, which forced several business jets and at least three wide-body government aircraft to divert from Swiss airfields. Friedrichshafen’s CAT III instrument-landing system and a recently upgraded 2,350-metre runway enabled operations to continue with minimal weather delays.
For international passengers, especially those whose itineraries span both Germany and Switzerland, VisaHQ (https://www.visahq.com/germany/) offers a convenient way to arrange Schengen visas and handle related travel documentation. The service streamlines application processes for delegations and individual travelers alike, helping ensure that last-minute diversions to Friedrichshafen don’t turn into paperwork headaches.
![World Economic Forum Davos Spurs 150 Extra Flights to Friedrichshafen Airport]()
Airport management redeployed administrative staff to ramp duties, avoiding costly temporary hires while maintaining 20-minute turnaround targets. Handling agents report that VIP apron capacity operated at 95 percent utilisation during peak hours, setting a new record for the airport.
For mobility managers the message is clear: during major events in Switzerland’s eastern Alps, contingency plans should include alternative German airports with robust ground transport links. Chauffeur companies quoted €600–€800 one-way for the 90-minute transfer to Davos this week, and cross-border insurance requirements added paperwork for drivers.
Baden-Württemberg’s economic ministry welcomed the spill-over traffic, noting that visiting executives booked more than 4,000 hotel nights in the region—an unexpected boost during the low winter season.
This year’s traffic surge was compounded by persistent Alpine fog, which forced several business jets and at least three wide-body government aircraft to divert from Swiss airfields. Friedrichshafen’s CAT III instrument-landing system and a recently upgraded 2,350-metre runway enabled operations to continue with minimal weather delays.
For international passengers, especially those whose itineraries span both Germany and Switzerland, VisaHQ (https://www.visahq.com/germany/) offers a convenient way to arrange Schengen visas and handle related travel documentation. The service streamlines application processes for delegations and individual travelers alike, helping ensure that last-minute diversions to Friedrichshafen don’t turn into paperwork headaches.
Airport management redeployed administrative staff to ramp duties, avoiding costly temporary hires while maintaining 20-minute turnaround targets. Handling agents report that VIP apron capacity operated at 95 percent utilisation during peak hours, setting a new record for the airport.
For mobility managers the message is clear: during major events in Switzerland’s eastern Alps, contingency plans should include alternative German airports with robust ground transport links. Chauffeur companies quoted €600–€800 one-way for the 90-minute transfer to Davos this week, and cross-border insurance requirements added paperwork for drivers.
Baden-Württemberg’s economic ministry welcomed the spill-over traffic, noting that visiting executives booked more than 4,000 hotel nights in the region—an unexpected boost during the low winter season.
