Facts emerge from data: Based on the analysis of over 12,500 incident reports from 2024, the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) has once again been able to identify key safety issues and associated risks in five main areas: aerodrome operations, air traffic management, flight operations, helicopter operations and airworthiness. Systematic data analysis remains central to ongoing risk assessment, enabling the FOCA to implement targeted measures that further enhance aviation safety in Switzerland.
The insights gained from this data-driven approach allow the FOCA to make risk-based decisions and allocate resources effectively. This methodology supports key initiatives such as AVISTRAT-CH, which aims to optimise Swiss airspace management by considering aviation infrastructure requirements and improving overall safety. Incident reports play a crucial role in these and other projects, including FASST-CH. Additionally, findings from the ASR2024 report are directly linked to the Swiss Aviation Safety Plan (SASP), which will be revised following this publication. The SASP will integrate the latest topics to address evolving challenges.
Comprehensive data from both commercial and non-commercial civil aviation provide critical insights into Switzerland's primary safety concerns, with a particular focus on preventing collisions, both mid-air and on the ground. Since 2008, Switzerland has operated the Airprox Analysis Board (AAB) to mitigate the risk of mid-air collisions (MAC) in Swiss airspace, in alignment with similar safety bodies across Europe. In parallel, the FOCA has been conducting the Future Aviation Surveillance Services and Technologies (FASST-CH) project since 2023. Working closely with Swiss aviation stakeholders and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), FASST-CH aims to evaluate and implement advanced surveillance services and technologies to enhance airspace safety in both the short and long term. The findings from the FOCA's safety data analysis will serve as a critical foundation for these assessments, with conclusions expected by autumn 2025.
A further priority is addressing ground and mid-air collision risks at Zurich Airport, Switzerland’s busiest aviation hub. Due to the complexity of its operational environment, a range of significant measures—including runway extensions, modifications to airport layout, and updated flight procedures—would be required to further reduce collision risks. Incident data collected from the airport vicinity is instrumental in assessing risk probability. The implementation of the redesign of the TMA Zurich has introduced additional safety buffers for departure and approach paths. However, projected traffic growth and increasing delays will continue to put pressure on the system. Notably, 2024 has seen a rise in incidents involving separation minima infringements (SMIs) and flights below the minimum safety altitude. The FOCA is closely monitoring these developments and will address them in relevant management board meetings.
Furthermore, global challenges such as GPS spoofing/jamming incidents and the number of unruly passenger cases have increased significantly in 2024. While these are not Swiss-specific issues, they warrant continuous monitoring due to their potential impact on aviation safety. Similarly, the growing number of reported smell/fume-related incidents requires careful observation.
The FOCA remains committed to continuous safety enhancement, with incident analysis remaining a key priority. Findings from audits, inspections, accident reports, and international aviation safety developments will continue to inform Swiss aviation policies and risk-mitigation strategies.
Our overarching objective remains unchanged: to maintain vigilance and adaptability within the Swiss aviation system, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of emerging risks and working proactively to prevent them from materialising.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the entire aviation community for reporting safety-related incidents. Such contributions are invaluable, enabling us to learn from past experiences and collaboratively advance aviation safety in a precise and effective manner.
