This is stupid Swiss bashing : Switzerland is such a little country surrounded by peaceful neighbors that they don't need to maintain a costly air-force in peace times.
I think they have agreements with France to cover their air space and probably Italy too judging by the article.
Maybe I am the only one that appreciates the cheese and the mountains, but Switzerland also has banks — and everybody likes that.
Last year's scenario for the annual Swiss large-scale military exercise was something along: "Eurozone has collapsed, France is after cold-hard cash, and comes to invade Geneva to rob the banks".
Also, Switzerland has launched the "Ilana" project to reach 24/7 airspace coverage in 2020. Maybe they decided they needed it after all?
Finally, one of the main reasons for the restricted flight hours is the nuisance due to the noise, which has nothing to do with peace time or bilateral military agreements.
I do not encourage Swiss bashing — Belgians have always been my favourite. However, get your facts right before calling something "stupid".
I don't see this as bashing -- it's incredibly civilised and rational, and a sign of a country that is relaxed about its position in the world. If only we were all like that.
While you may be right about this being "stupid Swiss bashing", the swiss do have a considerable army for such a small country which they should not have to maintain either.
Switzerland hasn't been invited for 800 years precisely because it does have a considerable army (to wit: every able-bodied male), not for want of would-be conquerors.
A famous exchange between German and Swiss military leaders:
"We have 400,000 troops ready to invade. You have but 200,000 civilian militia. What will your people do when ours arrive?"
Also, the terrain is notoriously difficult, the bridges have predetermined break points and places to put the dynamite (none there atm, but not so long ago there was), and any old shed in the mountain could contain a bunker or hangar. Apart from Israel, Switzerland is the only country with enough bunkers for the whole population (even ABC rated I think).
Then how did the Helvetic Republic come about? During the wars of the French revolution it had pitched battles fought on its territory by outside forces (some of which had Swiss regiments on payroll, if not on the battlefield). Foreign powers moved large military forces through Swiss territory for many centuries.
I stand corrected. For 5 years, France attempted to instill a puppet government over the otherwise loosely aligned Swiss cantons. The attempt failed 211 years ago.
I think they have agreements with France to cover their air space and probably Italy too judging by the article.