History of the Control Tower of Sion

The control tower is built within the military part of the airport. At first, it was used only for management of the military traffic. Since 1966, when the radio became obligatory on the airport of Sion, it is used also for the civil traffic. Until 1991, the military aircrafts and the civil aircrafts used separate frequencies. The unification of the frequencies was imposed by the introduction of the civil IFR.
The air controllers formed part of the personnel of the military air base of Sion until 2001, date of the reunification of air navigation services in Switzerland and foundation of Skyguide.

Some dates

Change sorting order

Year Period Event Picture 1943 The first tower was built for the use of the swiss military aviation. It was occupied by a radio operator on request only. 1952 The tower is permanently occupied during the military activity. 1956 Two air traffic controller are hired. Construction of the dome of the control tower 1959 A third air traffic controller is hired 1965 The fourth air traffic controller is hired. The air traffic controllers obtain their licence for the management of the civil traffic. The controllers form part of the radio workshop. 1969 The radio workshop moves in another building. 1971 Three air traffic controller ae hired. 1972 The control tower separates from the radio workshop 1972 The use of the radio becomes obligatory for the civil traffic. The air trafiic controllers also work during the weekend. Seven people form the manpower of the tower 1976 Two air traffic controllers are hired. 1979 The manpower of the tower passes gradually from ten to fifteen people. 1980 The commune of Sion engages two air traffic controllers. 1982 Manpower is composed of eleven controllers, two heads of department of flight and two AIS employees. The civil and military traffics are regulated simultaneously and entirely by the military control tower 365 days per year. 1984 One controller is hired by the commune of Sion. Replacement of the dome of the control tower 1989 Two controllers are engaged by the commune of Sion and one by the Federal Office for Air Force Logistics 1990 Installation of the systems of navigation: Localiser, DME SIO et MOT VOR. 1991 Installation of Bright Display for radar guidance. All controllers engaged by the commune of Sion are re-engaged by the Federal Office for Air Force Logisitcs. 1994 Autumn Start of the construction works of the new control tower. See pictures 1996 October The new control tower is open 1996 The frequency of the control tower changes from 118.550 Mhz to 118.275 Mhz. 1997 Spring Demolition of the old tower. See pictures 2001 the 1st of January The controllers are re-engaged by skyguide. 2002 The runway direction changes from 26-08 to 25-07 2004 the 23rd of December New IFR departure procedures. 2005 the 26th of March The website is published.