Zurich Airport Responds Positively to Swiss Confederation’s Sectoral Aviation Infrastructure Plan (SAIP)
(IN SHORT) Zurich Airport Ltd. has welcomed the Swiss Confederation’s proposed updates to the Sectoral Aviation Infrastructure Plan (SAIP), supporting measures to reduce delays and improve operational efficiency. The airport emphasizes the importance of preserving current operating hours to maintain its role as an international hub, while also advocating for noise management and punctuality improvements.
(PRESS RELEASE) Opfikon, Switzerland, 2025-Feb-18 — /Travel PR News/ — Zurich Airport Ltd. has expressed support for the Swiss Confederation’s proposed measures within the Sectoral Aviation Infrastructure Plan (SAIP), particularly regarding improvements aimed at addressing delays and enhancing security. The airport acknowledges the importance of the proposed changes but insists that the already stringent operational framework for Switzerland’s largest airport should not be further restricted.
The Swiss Confederation is responsible for the oversight of aviation in the country, and through the SAIP, it outlines the operational conditions and infrastructure requirements for airports. As a vital component of Switzerland’s transport network, Zurich Airport plays a crucial role in maintaining global connectivity and facilitating the country’s international ties. To continue fulfilling this role, the airport stresses the need to preserve current operating hours, which are critical to sustaining its operations as a leading international hub.
Measures to Enhance Punctuality and Mitigate Noise
Zurich Airport Ltd. welcomes several specific measures proposed in the SAIP, especially those focused on improving punctuality and reducing noise pollution. These include optimizing approach and departure routes, as well as expanding the runways and adding a south-facing takeoff option during northeast winds—measures that have been in planning for several years. The airport has also advocated for an increase in noise charges for delayed departures after 11:00 p.m. The aim of this adjustment is to encourage more timely departures and ensure that quieter aircraft are utilized during nighttime hours when noise sensitivity is heightened. These steps, according to the airport, will significantly reduce delays, particularly during the nighttime, a period of heightened noise concern.
The Need to Maintain Operating Hours
As an international transit hub, Zurich Airport is vital for maintaining Switzerland’s global connections. Few airports in Europe operate under such tight time constraints, and Zurich’s current operating hours are already among the most limited. Zurich Airport Ltd. asserts that further curtailing these hours would impede its ability to continue operating efficiently as a key international hub. The last half-hour of operational time, between 11:00 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., is particularly crucial in reducing delays and ensuring the airport remains competitive. Without this time slot, Zurich would struggle to offer long-haul flights while maintaining profitability. Zurich Airport Ltd. is therefore pleased to see that the SAIP has acknowledged the importance of keeping the current operating hours intact.
Progress in Operational Improvements
The revision of the SAIP follows a ruling by the Federal Administrative Court, which called for a reassessment of the impact of nighttime noise. Zurich Airport Ltd. appreciates that the Swiss Confederation is now laying the groundwork to implement long-planned operational improvements. These steps are expected to unblock procedures that will reduce delays and enhance overall operational reliability.
Looking Ahead: Next Steps for SAIP
The Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) will now review the feedback from stakeholders and submit the SAIP amendment to the Federal Council for approval. Zurich Airport Ltd. anticipates swift action on the necessary steps to implement the security and punctuality measures that have been long in the making, enabling Zurich to maintain its status as a top-tier international hub.
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Source: Zurich Airport
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