Interlaken Air Base

{{Infobox airport | name = Interlaken Airport | nativename = {{lang|de|Flugplatz Interlaken}} | nativename-a = | nativename-r = | image =INTERLAKEN AIRPORT SWITZERLAND MARCH 2011 (9380804684).jpg | image-width =300px | caption = | image2 = | image2-width = | caption2 = | IATA = | ICAO = LSMI | FAA = | LID = | type = Former military airbase | owner = | operator = | owner-oper = | city-served = Interlaken | location = Interlaken, Switzerland | built = | used = | commander = | occupants = | elevation-f = 1893 | elevation-m = 577 | coordinates = {{coord|46|40|35|N|007|52|44|E|region:CH|display=inline,title}} | pushpin_map = Switzerland | pushpin_map_caption = Location of the airport in Switzerland | pushpin_label = '''LSMI''' | pushpin_label_position = top | website = | metric-elev = | metric-rwy = | r1-number = 05/23 | r1-length-f = 5433 | r1-length-m = 1656 | r1-surface = Tarmac | h1-number = | h1-length-f = | h1-length-m = | h1-surface = | stat-year = | stat1-header = | stat1-data = | footnotes = }}

'''Interlaken Airport'''{{efn|{{langx|de|Flughafen Interlaken}}, {{langx|fr|Aéroport de Interlaken}}, {{langx|it|Aeroporto di Interlaken}}}} {{airport codes||LSMI}} is a former military airbase in Interlaken, Switzerland.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flightstats.com/go/Airport/airportDetails.do?airportCode=LSMI |title=(LSMI) Interlaken Mil |website=FlightStats |accessdate=30 July 2017}}</ref> The airbase is now closed to scheduled commercial flights.

==History== From 1919, there was a civilian airfield at the site, which was closed during the economic crisis in 1930. The second airfield was built in 1940 during the Second World War as a Swiss Reduit airfield and opened in 1941. The Swiss Air Force operated all aircraft types up to the Northrop F-5 there and from 1947 operated the specialist department for the de Havilland Vampire aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Geschichte des Betriebs Interlaken (PDF)|url=http://www.glique.ch/Dok4.1995/BetrInterlaken.pdf|language=DE|website=glique.ch|access-date=2024-09-08|archive-date=2016-05-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160522130730/http://www.glique.ch/Dok4.1995/BetrInterlaken.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> From 1964 to 1967, Globe Air operated charter flights from London to Interlaken during the high season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Interlaken|url=https://www.forgottenairfields.com/airfield-interlaken-256.html|website=forgottenairfields.com}}</ref> During the Cold War, Interlaken was used as operation base for Squadron 7 (Hunter) and as a maintenance facility for the aircraft until 1990.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Interlaken|url=https://www.mil-airfields.de/ch-switzerland/air-bases.html#306630|website=mil-airfields.de}}</ref>

In 1971, Swiss Air Rescue formed a base at the airfield named Wilderswil. Initially based in the military buildings, in 1982 the air rescue moved to a new heliport in Gsteigwiler. However, in 2008 they returned to Interlaken airfield retaining the Wilderswil base name.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wilderswil base – in the Bernese Oberland|url=https://www.rega.ch/en/our-missions/locations-and-infrastructure/rega-10-wilderswil-base|website=rega.ch}}</ref>

In 2003, military use ceased and the airfield was sold.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flugplatz Interlaken|url=https://www.festung-oberland.ch/dossier/luftwaffenanlagen/flugplaetze/interlaken/|website=festung-oberland.ch|date=23 September 2017 |language=DE}}</ref>

==Post closure use== In 2003, Mystery Park was opened on the site as a theme park based around the author Erich von Däniken. The park closed in 2006, before being purchased by Jakob Dietiker for $13million and renamed Jungfrau Park.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Closure of Mystery Park is no enigma|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/banking-fintech/closure-of-mystery-park-is-no-enigma/5576928|website=swissinfo.ch |date=18 November 2006 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=White knight rides to rescue of Mystery Park|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/history/white-knight-rides-to-rescue-of-mystery-park/5398454|website=swissinfo.ch |date=21 August 2006 }}</ref>

In 2004, the site was considered a potential venue for a permanent motor racing circuit, however this did not materialise, notably as the Swiss government only lifted the ban on motorsport in the country in 2018 ahead of the Zurich ePrix.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Racing's remarkable Swiss return|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/formula-e/racings-remarkable-swiss-return/|website=motorsportmagazine.com |date=11 June 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Formula One fans want race ban lifted|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-politics/formula-one-fans-want-race-ban-lifted/3952550|website=swissinfo.ch |date=15 June 2004 }}</ref> Motor racing has since taken place on the airfield, notably in 2019, the opening round of the Swiss Slalom motor racing series was held at Interlaken.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Slalom: Opener with several title favorites|url=https://www.autosprint.ch/en/motorsport/slalom-auftakt-mit-mehreren-titelfavoriten/|website=autosprint.ch |date=4 April 2019 }}</ref> In summer 2023, an Alfa Romeo owners club meeting at the facility broke a national record for the most vehicles of the brand in one place.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Im Zeichen des Biscione: Alfa Romeo Passion Meeting 2023|url=https://www.spirit-magazin.ch/im-zeichen-des-biscione-alfa-romeo-passion-meeting-2023/|language=DE|website=spirit-magazin.ch |date=6 June 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Passion Meeting 5th Anniversary|url=https://4cpassionmeeting.com/en/passion-meeting-5th-anniversary-2023/|language=DE|website=4cpassionmeeting.com}}</ref>

Since 2005, the annual Greenfield music festival takes place at Interlaken.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Greenfield Festival|url=https://www.interlaken.ch/en/planning/events/top-events/greenfield-festival|website=}}</ref>

In 2007, Interlaken Airbase was used for the sixth round of the Red Bull Air Race.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.redbullairrace.com/cs/Satellite?c=RB_Article&childpagename=RedBullAirRace%2FLayout&cid=1238613925046&pagename=RedBullAirRaceWrapper# |title=History |website=Red Bull Air Race |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120625012800/http://www.redbullairrace.com/cs/Satellite?c=RB_Article&childpagename=RedBullAirRace%2FLayout&cid=1238613925046&pagename=RedBullAirRaceWrapper |archivedate=25 June 2012}}</ref> It was also used for the 2024 Paragliding World Cup.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Paragliding World Cup Switzerland, Grindelwald – Interlaken, 2024|url=https://pwca.events/world-cup-grindelwald-interlaken-switzerland-2024/|website=pwca.events |date=24 October 2025 }}</ref>

In 2023, Matten bei Interlaken railway station opened on the site.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Train stop Park+Ride Matten bei Interlaken open and Wengen Shuttle operational|url=https://www.jungfrau.ch/en-gb/corporate/news/train-stop-park-ride-matten-bei-interlaken-open-and-wengen-shuttle-operational/|website=jungfrau.ch}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Factsheet BOB-Haltestelle Matten bei Interlaken / Park+Ride|url=https://cdn.jungfrau.ch/news/Factsheet_Haltestelle_Park+Ride-Matten-bei-Interlaken.pdf|language=DE|website=jungfrau.ch}}</ref>

==In popular culture== * The airfield was used as a filming location in Band of Brothers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Band of Brothers: Where Was 2001 War Miniseries Filmed?|url=https://thecinemaholic.com/where-was-band-of-brothers-filmed/|website=thecinemaholic.com |date=13 June 2023 }}</ref> * A mission in the video game Microsoft Flight Simulator X challenged the player to land an aircraft at Interlaken with a failed engine.

==Photos== <gallery> Interlaken Venom 02.JPG|Venom aircraft taxiing at Interlaken air base in October 1983 CH.BE.Interlaken 2007-07-12 Red-Bull-Air-Race 238 3x2-R 4K.jpg|A competitor in the 2007 Red Bull Air race Mindcollision at Greenfield Festival 2016.jpg| Band Mindcollision performing at Greenfield Festival in 2016 </gallery>

==References== {{Reflist}}

===Notes=== {{Notelist}}

Category:Airports in Switzerland