Published on 25 April 2024

Payerne Air Base

Squadron 6 — ©  VBS/DDPS, Maj Donat Achermann

Payerne Air Base has grown steadily over the years to become the main base of the Swiss Air Force. It is responsible for the Air Policing, with a patrol of 2 armed F/A-18s permanently ready to intervene within 15 minutes, 24/7. It is supported in its missions by partners from other Defence entities, such as the Armed Forces Logistics Organisation (AFLO), the Cyber Command and the Military Police. It is also supported by private companies commissioned by the Air Force, such as Ruag and Skyguide. In total, more than 500 people work for the Defence in the region.

• How to find us

  By road

  

  Carte d'accès Payerne — © DDPS

  How to get to Payerne Air Base

  • Exploitations des Forces aériennes

    PDF335.08 kB3 May 2022

  Access by public transport

  At "Payerne, Train station", take bus no. 560, direction Chevroux. Stop at «Payerne, aérodrome» (1st stop, 6 minutes)

• Flying activities

  Schedule

  Combat jets:

  Training flights from Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 12pm and 1.30pm to 5pm.

  Air policing from Monday to Sunday (7 days a week, 24 hours a day).

  Night flights:

  October to March : Monday or Tuesday evenings between 6pm to 10pm.

  CR: extended opening hours

  Drone ADS:

  Night flights are possible throughout the year depending on requirements.

  Helicopters:

  Night flights for helicopters are scheduled on Mondays and Tuesdays between 5pm and 10pm.

  Activités aériennes actuelles en Suisse

  Flight planning 2025

  

  Planification 2025 — © DDPS

  Flight planning 2025 (pdf)

  Explanatory notes

  CR: Temporary training for reservist units
  Drones ADS: Small remote-controlled Intelligence aircraft
  WEF: World Economic Forum, Davos

• Economic significance

  Economic significance

  

  Payerne in 1928 — © DDPS

  The Swiss Air Force has a close link with Payerne and the Broye area since 1921. Over time, it has become one of the biggest employers in the area. Today, more than 510 people are closely involved in the deployment and training of the Air Force at Payerne Air Base and the military training center.

  

  Payerne in 1998 — © DDPS

  The area occupied by the airfield and the military training center is approximately 500 hectares.
  
  All airfield land not directly affected by infrastructure or exercise areas is leased to local farmers at preferential rates.

• Aéronews

  • Only available in French language...

• Restaurant

  Restaurant TopAir
  M. Aurélien Tenthorey
  Place d'Armes
  CH-1530 Payerne

  Tél:    + 41 58 466 20 05
  Fax:    + 41 58 466 20 06
  E-Mail: [e-mail]
  http://topair.sv-restaurant.ch

• Clin D'Ailes Museum

  

  Clin d'Ailes — © DDPS

  Payerne Military Aviation Museum