St. Gallen-Altenrhein Airport will celebrate a historic anniversary in the summer of 2026. For a century, the site, located near the border with the Austrian state of Vorarlberg, has served as a major hub for regional and international aviation. The centenary will be commemorated with festivities on the weekend of August 28-30, 2026, highlighting both the historical development and the modern aviation significance of the location.
Planning for this major event, overseen by a specially formed organizing committee, is already in full swing. The main attraction is an airshow featuring both civilian and military displays. Up to 70.000 visitors are expected, posing enormous logistical and security challenges for the airfield. While anticipation is high among aviation enthusiasts, the planned flight operations are drawing criticism from neighboring communities on the Austrian side.
The history of St. Gallen-Altenrhein Airport is closely linked to the industrial development of the Lake Constance region. Originally conceived in the 1920s as a factory airfield for the Dornier aircraft works, the site has evolved over the decades into a modern regional airport. Just in time for the anniversary, a team of authors led by aviation journalist Hansjörg Bürgi has documented this eventful history in a comprehensive commemorative book. Research for this project began over a year before the anniversary weekend. The book illuminates the beginnings of Swiss aviation around 1909 and traces its development to the present day. It focuses not only on technical aspects but also on portraits of key figures who have shaped the airport over generations.
Farewell to the Patrouille Suisse in the Lake Constance region
A special highlight of the anniversary celebrations is the announced performance by the Patrouille Suisse. The renowned aerobatic team of the Swiss Air Force will perform one of its last maneuvers in the Lake Constance region as part of the festivities. This follows a decision by the Swiss Council of States to disband the team by the end of 2027. Decisive factors in this decision are the high operating costs and the planned decommissioning of the Northrop F-5E Tiger II fighter jets, which form the backbone of the team. For many aviation enthusiasts, the performance in Altenrhein thus marks the end of an era. The team, which is normally based at the military airfield in Emmen, is considered an international flagship of the Swiss Air Force and will demonstrate the capabilities of military aviation during the anniversary weekend.
Holding an airshow concurrently with regular scheduled flights presents air traffic control with complex challenges. Max Mumenthaler of the Swiss air navigation service provider Skyguide explains the necessary measures in the tower: During the aerobatic displays, the control zone is closed to all other air traffic. This means that neither takeoffs nor landings of private or commercial aircraft are possible during the relevant time slots. Nevertheless, the flight schedules of scheduled flights to destinations such as Vienna or seasonal holiday destinations must be integrated into the overall plan. Separating aerobatic flights from commercial traffic requires minute-by-minute coordination, which is prepared months in advance.
Security and infrastructure as cost factors
With a budget of approximately 1,3 million Swiss francs, the anniversary celebration represents a significant financial undertaking. Eugen Stieger from the organizing committee emphasizes that the high costs are not due to the pilots or the participating aircraft – including the Patrouille Suisse – as they are providing their services free of charge. Rather, the financial outlay is concentrated on the extensive infrastructure and ensuring the safety of the expected crowds. Airfield manager Sascha Raich points out that combining strictly regulated aviation safety with the general event safety for 70.000 guests is an exciting but labor-intensive phase. The event is being financed through sponsorships and the already commenced ticket sales.
Despite official permits on both sides of the border, plans for the airshow in the Vorarlberg Rhine Delta are facing resistance. The municipalities of Gaißau, Höchst, and Fußach have voiced strong criticism of the Vorarlberg state government's decision to approve the event. Local representatives are particularly concerned about the noise pollution from the military jets and see safety risks for the densely populated areas along the flight path. They also point to the geographical proximity to sensitive areas, further fueling the debate about the compatibility of large-scale events and regional interests in the border region. The organizing committee, however, is committed to addressing these concerns and ensuring a smooth festival weekend through transparency and strict adherence to safety regulations.