Kägiswil: flight operations secured until September 2025
The Obwalden Airfield Cooperative FGOW and armasuisse have concluded a building lease agreement valid until the end of September 2025. This secures flight operations in Kägiswil in the short term. However, FGOW is still aiming to secure fixed-wing aviation in Kägiswil in the long term.
The previous building lease agreement between FGOW and armasuisse would have expired in mid-December 2024. With the extension of the building lease agreement until the end of September 2025, fixed-wing flight operations are secured until this date.
For the Kägiswil airfield In 2020, the Federal Council stipulated in the Aviation Infrastructure Sectoral Plan (SIL) that the former military airfield should be converted into a civilian airfield. Due to resistance from landowners, this conversion has not yet been achieved.
In May 2024, the Obwalden Cantonal Council instructed the cantonal government to allow civil aviation use for helicopters in Kägiswil by amending the cantonal structure plan. This would also require the existing SIL object sheet to be amended.
Due to the changed initial situation, the federal agencies FOCA and armasuisse have agreed with the Canton of Obwalden to start a new planning process. The aim is to coordinate the various spatial requirements and prepare for a possible adjustment of the SIL. This planning process is expected to begin in spring 2025.