And finally… size matters
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The Swiss government’s c. £90 million Bombardier Global 7500, intended as a symbol of national efficiency, has become an embarrassing logistical headache as officials realised upon delivery that not only is the runway in the capital city too short for the jet to take off, but that the jet is also unable to fit in any of their hangars.
Acquired in December 2024, the luxury jet is too large for its intended home at Bern-Belp Airport, forcing it to reside at Payerne Air Base, 40 kilometres away.
Officials failed to consider the aircraft’s physical dimensions, meaning a new hangar must be built, delaying its Bern deployment for two years. Furthermore, Bern’s runway is too short for the jet’s full range, necessitating long-haul flights to depart from Zurich or Geneva.
A recent diplomatic trip to La Paz, Bolivia, further highlighted the jet’s limitations. It lacked high-altitude airport certification, forcing officials onto a commercial flight. This contrasted sharply with the jet’s intended role, replacing a smaller, more practical Cessna Citation Excel.
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