Aviation authorities in Switzerland say a technical malfunction in air traffic control systems caused significant disruptions at Zurich airport on Sunday — and the cause was tied directly to security preparations for ongoing peace negotiations between the United States and Iran.
Swiss air traffic control authority Skyguide said the problem arose when a newly created no-fly zone above Buergenstock — the Swiss mountain resort hosting the diplomatic talks — was being integrated into radar display systems. That integration process triggered the technical fault.
The restricted airspace zone was established at the last minute, according to a statement from Skyguide, because the decision to hold this latest round of negotiations wasn’t finalized until Saturday.
Despite the disruption, Skyguide emphasized that safety was never compromised. “The systems are running smoothly, and security was ensured at all times,” the agency said, confirming that normal operations had resumed.
The impact on travelers was significant. An airport spokesperson told Reuters that by midday, 12 arriving flights and 14 departing flights had been cancelled outright. At least 60 other departures faced delays.
Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President JD Vance arrived at Buergenstock on Sunday for the scheduled peace discussions with Iran, as outlined in a tentative agreement. However, the diplomatic effort was quickly overshadowed by Iran’s announcement that it had reinstated its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
The resort where talks are being held sits roughly 50 kilometres — about 31 miles — south of Zurich airport. Switzerland had pledged to provide what it called a “discreet and reliable setting” for the high-stakes negotiations.
