The Swiss Federal Council’s brand-new Bombardier Global 7500 jet touched down in Switzerland late last Wednesday, concluding a nearly week-long grounding in Turkey. The aircraft had been held since the previous Saturday following an incident during takeoff from Ankara, where the crew reported a brief reduction in acceleration.
The Swiss army, responsible for the aircraft, released a statement explaining that while various data from the plane were examined and a team of manufacturer technicians inspected the right engine, no technical anomalies were discovered. The brief engine stall was deemed the cause of the incident. As a precautionary measure and to ensure absolute safety, the decision was made to keep the state-of-the-art jet on the ground for thorough checks.
The grounding caused a logistical ripple effect, most notably requiring a second Federal Council aircraft, the Falcon 900, to be dispatched to Turkey to bring back Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis. This necessity has further fueled public discussion surrounding the significant investment in the new jet, which cost taxpayers approximately 109 million francs (~$117 million).
Adding to the financial scrutiny is the revelation of a significant planning oversight: the sheer size of the new aircraft means it cannot fit into any of the existing hangars at Bern-Belp Airport. Consequently, the multi-million-franc jet must be parked approximately 76 kilometers (~45 miles) away at the Payerne military base, incurring additional logistical complexities and costs. According to army spokesperson Delphine Schwab‑Allemand, a new hangar is being constructed in Bern to accommodate the new aircraft, but it will take two years to complete.
Despite the early hiccup in its operational history, the Swiss army has declared the Bombardier Global 7500 fit for unrestricted flight as of Thursday, April 17th. They emphasized that aviation safety was never compromised during the brief incident. Nevertheless, the debut of the “flying jewel,” delivered just two months prior in February, has not gone unnoticed.
The combination of its hefty price tag, initial technical scare, and now the embarrassing revelation of its oversized dimensions creating parking problems, has sparked debate among citizens and likely within political circles regarding the cost-effectiveness and practicality of the new aircraft for the Swiss government.
