The Kägiswil Case: The AeCS Is Appalled!
Although several legal proceedings are still pending and the FGOW had received a commitment from the head of the Federal Office for Defense to allow continued use of the runway for the time being, the two center-right Federal Councilors Albert Rösti (UVEK) and Martin Pfister (VBS) have decided to immediately halt flight operations in Kägiswil. REGA can rejoice—for now—as it has evidently prevailed in Bern.
The federal government is supporting the REGA project in Kägiswil, even though the public participation process has not yet been completed, and is ignoring an ongoing case before the Federal Administrative Court as well as an appeal with suspensive effect. The federal government is also overlooking the fact that, in the case of the REGA project as well, local residents are refusing to grant their consent for helicopters to fly over their properties, which likewise stands in the way of the REGA project—or at least should do so. Furthermore, several objections have already been filed in the ongoing public participation process.
The Obwalden Airport Cooperative (FGOW) is disappointed by the federal government’s actions and has chosen strong words: «The FGOW finds the federal government’s conduct—which is questionable from the perspective of the rule of law—and Rega’s high-handed attitude offensive.» On July 15, 2026, the federal government wrote to the FGOW stating that it would invite them to a meeting in the near future. However, this meeting did not take place until September 22, 2026. The intention was to agree on a temporary extension of the building lease valid until the end of September 2027. On September 30, 2026, the federal government announced that it was open to negotiating the continuation of civilian flight operations. The appointment with the notary for the signing had already been set, but was canceled at short notice by armasuisse. Even after October 22, 2026, the federal government continued to put the FGOW off. The FGOW remained confident until the very end that the federal government’s behavior over the past few months was not driven by any strategic intentions to its detriment and that, in a state governed by the rule of law, the courts would have the final say.”