"We have taken big steps ahead on the financing, so we could meet the goal of public funding,” says Walter Egger, president of the Cooperative Gstaad-Saanenland (FGGS).

Egger explains that a commitment to federal funding was still pending, which would consist of contributions to the pool of petrol fees, and that the group was still working with the BAZL (Office for Civil Aviation) for a “goal-oriented” cooperation.

Building permission has been in place since mid-2016 and the project was originally due to commence in summer 2016. To meet their budget, they will build two instead of three hangars with turntables. The third might be built at another time if possible.

The airport has been operated by the new company called Gstaad Airport AG since 1 December 2016. It is in charge of the operations and the control centre OCC. The centre is associated with the Swiss Fort Knox facility, which provides a steady income for the airport. Other administrative changes to the airport include permitting helicopters to fly year-round until 8pm, and shorten the lead times for customs clearance for non-Schengen flights.

Completion of the new facility is planned for 2018, and flight operations remain guaranteed throughout the process. The non-aviation events such as polo and glider flights will also not be affected.