Aviation safety: 100 years of Swiss air traffic control

Without air traffic control, today's dense air traffic would probably be in complete chaos. Skyguide is responsible for aviation safety in Switzerland. With its 1,500 employees at 14 locations, it ensures safe, efficient and sustainable air traffic management in Switzerland and the neighboring areas of neighboring countries, probably the busiest airspace in Europe.

In the beginning there was Guglielmo Marconi

This year, air traffic control in Switzerland celebrates its 100th anniversary. It all started with Marconi Radio AG, a subsidiary of the company of inventor and radio pioneer Guglielmo Marconi. It was founded a hundred years ago, on February 23, 1922, to develop wireless telegraphy - the birth of Swiss air traffic control. On May 10, 1928, the company name was changed to Radio Schweiz AG to emphasize its Swiss character. And on January 1, 1931, the Swiss Confederation entrusted Radio Schweiz with the provision of air traffic control services in Switzerland. Since then, aviation has undergone a great development. In the second half of the last century, the airplane was able to establish itself worldwide as an efficient means of mass transportation for passengers and freight.

Air traffic control made today's development of aviation possible

Another decisive factor was the technological development of air traffic control, which used communication, navigation and monitoring systems to ensure flying at all times of day and in practically all weather conditions. In 1987, most of the non-aviation-related business of Radio Schweiz AG was transferred or sold to Swiss Post and private companies and the rest was subsequently transferred to Swisscontrol. Skyguide was founded in 2001 following a Federal Council decision with the aim of integrating civil and military air navigation services. The company is majority-owned by the Swiss Confederation and has its headquarters in Geneva. "Aviation has undergone fundamental development over the last 100 years. In the coming years, we will be implementing innovative solutions such as the Virtual Center, which will continue to have a significant impact on air navigation services in the future," says Alex Bristol, CEO of Skyguide. Skyguide is now celebrating this centenary with various activities throughout the year: With simple local events at skyguide's 14 locations in Switzerland for employees and the media, through a publication and with a YouTube series and social media campaigns that bring the day-to-day work and services of air navigation services closer. Source and further information: Skyguide

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/sicherheit-in-der-luftfahrt-100-jahre-schweizer-flugsicherung/