Security measures on board Swiss aircraft

Security officials known as Tiger and Fox Agents are assigned to check passengers and to prevent criminal acts on board Swiss commercial aircraft flying to international destinations. The purpose of these security measures is to prevent aircraft hijacking and blackmail. The Aviation Regulation and the Regulation on Security Measures for Air Traffic issued by the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communication (DETEC) form the legal basis of these measures. The Federal Office of Police is responsible for the training and deployment of the security agents.

The security agents deployed on board Swiss civilian aircraft (so-called Tiger agents) and at particularly sensitive foreign destinations (so-called Fox agents) are recruited and trained by the Federal Security Service’s Aviation Security Unit. These agents include cantonal and municipal police officers, border guard officials and members of military security (DDPS).