Austria, Switzerland enhance military air cooperation ahead of Davos forum

VIENNA, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Austrian and Swiss air forces have enhanced their cooperation to provide airspace security for this year's World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos beginning next Tuesday.

The Austrian Armed Forces stated in a press release Thursday that the two countries have a history of such cooperation, but through a new agreement, this will an extention for the first time now to allow aircraft to fly over the shared border for counter-terror measures.

The close proximity of Davos to the Austrian border means about a third of the no-fly airspace during the WEF meeting lies above Austrian territory, meaning its participation is necessary for protection from the north and east.

As part of the preparations, two Swiss F-18 Hornet aircraft made a trip from Bern in Switzerland to Salzburg, Austria on Thursday to demonstrate how quickly an aerial threat could materialize. The 430-kilometre trip took just 30 minutes.

Swiss F-18 pilot Reto Kunz said without Austria's cooperation, it would not be possible to ensure security in Davos during the event.

Among the resources Austria will provide for the meeting are 1,100 troops, Eurofighter jets, helicopters, as well as radar operations. Enditem