Aerial infrastructure, cableways, power lines and telephone lines pose a significant threat to helicopters in Switzerland, where over 1,000 such structures exist. Since 2001, the Armed Forces, Swiss Air-Rescue (Rega), the FOCA and Skyguide have collaborated on the Remove project to eliminate disused installations in mountain regions.
In February 2024, a news headline on Swiss television reported: 'Collision with cable: Helicopter crashes in Valais'. In recent years, there have been several tragic helicopter accidents involving power cables or ziplines in Switzerland; pilots and passengers have suffered serious injuries or died.
The REMOVE project commenced in 2001, and the 2024 assessment shows that numerous redundant installations have since been removed from the Swiss Alps, with the Armed Forces and Rega carrying out the dismantling work. Most of these were relatively small installations that did not require permits and therefore were not subject to mandatory decommissioning. However, even these can pose a threat to low-altitude aircraft, particularly helicopters.
The REMOVE project is a collaboration between the Armed Forces, Rega, air navigation service provider Skyguide, and the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA). The Armed Forces are responsible for demolition tasks, while Rega oversees the project management. The FOCA updates the aviation obstacle charts, and Skyguide provides administrative support.
Last modification 04.09.2024
