Business aviation played a key part in bringing political leaders to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in the Swiss resort of Davos last week. Jet Aviation’s Zurich FBO handled much of the traffic and saw a “slight increase” over the 2012 event, handling 747 movements and 1,531 passengers. Despite poor weather and fog that disrupted flights early in the week, Jet Aviation set handling records on the days preceding the WEF, managing 150 movements on January 22 and 126 the following day.

According to ExecuJet Aviation, its local FBO handled more than 300 business aircraft movements at Zurich Airport and Dübendorf Airport, which is a nearby military facility used to expand parking capacity during the forum. “Dübendorf enjoyed its highest ever WEF traffic, with movements up 80 percent from 2012,” said the company, which added that there was “a high proportion of ultra-long-range business jets.” Jet Aviation said that it handled 28 of the 36 aircraft that used Dübendorf.

“The WEF annual meeting is the ultimate test for an FBO,” said ExecuJet Zurich FBO manager Viviane Sigg. “Not only do we have to handle a huge spike in aircraft movements, but the passengers are at the very top of the global ‘A List.’ For such a prestigious event and clientele, there is simply no scope for error.”