The joint aid project "Charity Water" at Zurich Airport achieved considerable success in the second half of 2025. Through the sale of bottled mineral water in the duty-free shops operated by Avolta, a total of 242.553 Swiss francs was raised. The proceeds benefited the allani Children's Hospice Foundation in Bern.
Since the initiative's launch in 2014, 50 centimes from every bottle sold have been donated to a fund that is regularly distributed among different charitable organizations. Zurich Airport and the travel retailer Avolta, formerly known as Dufry, coordinate the project to support social institutions in Switzerland.
The beneficiary foundation, allani, will use the funds to ensure the continued operation of Switzerland's first children's hospice. Located in Bern, the facility offers seriously ill children and young people, as well as their families, specialized care and professional support in a home-like environment. Because the financing of children's hospices in Switzerland is not yet comprehensively regulated by law or through insurance benefits, the hospice relies heavily on private donations. This latest major donation covers a significant portion of the ongoing operating costs and enables families in difficult circumstances to enjoy much-needed respite stays.
At the beginning of 2026, the project selected a new partner as scheduled. From January to the end of May 2026, the proceeds from water sales will go to the Swiss Food Bank Foundation. This organization is dedicated to distributing surplus, high-quality food to social institutions throughout Switzerland. Recipients include homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and women's shelters. The Swiss Food Bank thus forms an important bridge between the oversupply in the retail sector and the acute poverty of affected individuals, redistributing several thousand tons of goods annually.
The project's success underscores the generosity of passengers at Switzerland's largest air traffic hub. Despite price adjustments in retail outlets, demand for the charity mineral water remains stable. Avolta and Zurich Airport leverage their high volume of international travelers to raise awareness for Swiss aid projects. Through transparent processes and the direct allocation of funds, the "charity water" has become a firmly established element of the airport community's social engagement, extending far beyond simply providing infrastructure.