Air Transport
Source: Dispatch on the Bilateral III package, Chapter 2.6 (pp. 531-548)
Dispatch PDF
¶ Summary
The Air Transport Agreement (ATA) has granted Switzerland access to the European air transport market since 1999/2002. In 2024, 34 of 58 million passengers at Swiss airports came from or travelled to the EU -- corresponding to approximately 60 per cent of total passenger traffic. Within the Bilateral III package, the ATA is institutionally anchored, cabotage rights are exchanged, and Switzerland gains full participation in the SESAR 3 research programme.
¶ Exchange of Cabotage Rights
¶ What Does Cabotage Mean in Air Transport?
Cabotage refers to the right to operate domestic flights in a foreign country. With the updated ATA:
- Swiss airlines can offer domestic flights within the EU (e.g. Munich-Hamburg)
- EU airlines can offer domestic flights within Switzerland (e.g. Zurich-Geneva)
¶ Practical Significance
The cabotage exchange is primarily relevant for cross-border flight chains: a flight Zurich-Frankfurt-Munich can be operated by a single airline without the Frankfurt-Munich leg needing to be separately licensed.
¶ SESAR 3 -- Research for Air Transport Modernisation
¶ What is SESAR?
SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) is the EU research programme for modernising European air traffic management. SESAR 3 is the third generation with a budget framework of EUR 600 million under Horizon Europe.
¶ Previous Situation
Switzerland could previously only participate in SESAR as a third party -- with limited access and no say in decisions.
¶ Innovation Through Bilateral III
| Aspect | Before | New |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Third party | Full member |
| Access to tenders | Limited | Full access |
| Co-decision | None | Decision Shaping in committees |
| Funding | Limited | Equal access |
The Swiss aviation industry (Skyguide, RUAG, universities) will in future be able to participate on an equal footing in SESAR 3 projects and apply for EU research funding.
¶ Decision Shaping
Switzerland obtains the right to participate in committees and expert groups of the European Commission in the field of air transport, including:
- Committee on Civil Aviation Safety
- EASA bodies (European Union Aviation Safety Agency)
- Committees for Air Navigation Services
- Single Sky Committee
Participation takes place without voting rights, but with the opportunity to contribute Swiss positions and help shape the development of regulations.
¶ Institutional Anchoring
¶ IP-ATA and AP-ATA
The Air Transport Agreement receives:
- Institutional Protocol (IP-ATA): dynamic adoption of law, surveillance, dispute settlement
- Amendment Protocol (AP-ATA): updating of the existing agreement
- State Aid Protocol (ATA): rules for state aid in air transport
¶ State Aid in Air Transport
The state aid protocol provides a threshold for regional airports:
| Category | Threshold | Aid rule |
|---|---|---|
| Regional airports | Up to 200,000 passengers/year | Below threshold -- no review |
| Larger airports | Over 200,000 passengers/year | Aid is reviewed |
This protects small and medium-sized Swiss regional airports (e.g. Bern-Belp, Lugano-Agno) from disproportionate state aid requirements.
¶ Aviation Safety and EASA
Cooperation with EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) is strengthened:
- Mutual recognition of airworthiness certificates
- Common safety standards
- Swiss participation in EASA bodies
- Harmonisation of pilot licences
¶ Consultation
The consultation yielded 60 submissions:
| Position | Number | Key actors |
|---|---|---|
| In favour | 41 | Cantons, Aerosuisse, Swiss, FOCA, Skyguide, FDP, The Centre, SP |
| Against | 2 | SVP, Swiss Helicopter Association |
| No clear position | 17 | Various |
Supporters particularly highlight SESAR 3 participation and the exchange of cabotage rights as economically significant.
¶ Impact
¶ Implementation
- Customs ordinance adjustment: for domestic cabotage transport, the customs ordinance must be adjusted
- No new obligations or costs for Switzerland beyond existing contributions
¶ Economic Significance
- Business location strengthened: better connectivity through more flight connections
- SESAR 3 investments: Swiss companies can participate in research projects
- Aviation safety: harmonised standards increase safety
¶ Key Points
| Topic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Agreement | ATA -- Air Transport Agreement |
| In force since | 1999/2002 (Bilateral I) |
| Passengers EU traffic | 34 million of 58 million (60%) |
| Cabotage rights | Mutual exchange (domestic flights) |
| SESAR 3 | Full participation (previously third party) |
| SESAR 3 budget | EUR 600 million (Horizon Europe) |
| Decision Shaping | Participation in EASA bodies and committees |
| State aid | Regional airports up to 200,000 passengers exempt |
| Consultation | 41 in favour, 2 against (of 60) |
| Implementation | Customs ordinance adjustment for cabotage |
| Costs | No new obligations or costs |
¶ Sources
- Dispatch on the package for the stabilisation and further development of the bilateral path (Bilateral III), Chapter 2.6, pp. 531-548. Fedlex PDF
- Air Transport Agreement Switzerland-EU (SR 0.748.127.192.68)
- Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 (EASA Basic Regulation)
- SESAR Joint Undertaking -- Clean Aviation and SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking