Air Defender 23: This is how a massive NATO exercise affects your vacation plans

From June 12 to 23, Air Defender 23 will take place in European airspace, The Air Force’s largest deployment exercise Since the creation of NATO. Up to 10,000 participants from 24 countries conduct air operations training using 220 aircraft. The three main hubs during Air Defender 23 are Schleswig/Hohn, Wunstorf and Lechfeld in Bavaria, about 120 kilometers from the Swiss border. According to the Federal Office of Civil Aviation, this could affect Swiss Air Traffic impact.

For those that take place during the day from Monday to Friday NATO aviation activities A “no-go zone” would be created in southern Germany, which would limit capabilities in southern German airspace for all air traffic. As a result, scheduled civilian air traffic in particular was impaired To and from Zurich airport The result »said spokesman Christian Schubert to 20 minutes. There are no exercises on the weekend.

Private air transportation restrictions

He says both airlines and European air traffic control are trying to minimize the impact. However, long flight times, delays or even flight cancellations across Europe, especially in bad weather, cannot be ruled out. Therefore, passengers are requested to know about any changes in flight times in good time.

Private air traffic can also be affected during massive exercises, says aviation expert Max Ungrecht. “Private pilots planning trips abroad will have to prepare well in uncontrolled airspace, because at certain times and in certain places you will not be allowed to fly through areas with military airspace restrictions without special permit zones.”

“You will see all known combat aircraft over Europe”

Essentially, according to Ungricht, such a major international air exercise is a spectacle. “You will see all known combat aircraft over Europe – and the F-35 will play a major role for the first time.” According to the expert, this exercise is about testing the interaction of many different air forces. “Each member state has its own operational doctrine, based on the national mission and the terrain of the country.”

However, all participants in this exercise are essentially subject to NATO Doctrine and NATO Command. “That is why it is important to practice skills, communication and a tactical approach to an emergency situation in such an exercise.”

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