Published on 11 December 2025

Locarno Air Base

Tasks

Supports the Air Force Pilot School
Supports the Parachute Reconnaissance School and Special Forces Command
Maintenance of the assigned aircraft
Air transport base south of the Alps
Representation of Air Force interests in the area
Competence center for PC-6 and PC-7 aircraft
Maintenance and operational readiness of the PC-7 simulator
Flight operations for the benefit of the S-Chanf firing range
Subsidiary missions for the benefit of the civilian population, especially in the event of severe weather disasters and forest fires
Support for peacekeeping and other missions abroad
Coordination of the services of partner organizations (RUAG, LBA, armasuisse, sg, Kdo Cy, MP)

All these activities result in around 10,000 aircraft movements and around 13,500 overnight stays at the Locarno base every year.

Monday – Friday
07.30 – 12.00
13.10 – 17.00
Night Flight until 22:00 at the Latest from October to April: Monday and Tuesday
2026 programme for Locarno Air Base
Collaboration / environmental issues
The airfield command works closely with the management of the cantonal airfield and with other civilian companies and associations in the vicinity.
The flight procedures take into account the nearby «Bolle di Magadino» nature conservation zone and the neighboring residential areas. Thanks to the powerful engines of the PC-7, the minimum altitudes for the exercises could be set so that the impact on the surrounding population is as low as possible.
- Armed Forces Logistics Base LBA
- Cyber Command
- skyguide
- RUAG
- Aeroporto Cantonale Locarno
- armasuisse
- Military police
- Staff restaurant
  Mensa Aviazione S.a.g.l.
  c/o Base aerea Locarno
  Signor Luigi del Cioppo
  CH-6595 Riazzino
  Tel: 058 481 24 60
  e-mail: gigi.delcioppo@bluewin.ch
+41 800 002 440
info.base-loc@vtg.admin.ch