Zurich Airport has announced extensive maintenance and construction projects for 2026 to ensure the safety and functionality of its heavily used operational areas. Between April and October, renovations will be carried out across the entire airport, including work on runways, taxiways, and aprons. A particular focus will be on runway 16/34, where joint sealant will be renewed from March to August to seal the surfaces. As this work will take place during nighttime operational breaks, minimal noise pollution for the surrounding area is expected, while daily air traffic will remain largely unaffected.
In addition to routine maintenance, technical modifications are being made at the Delta pumping station to improve wastewater separation. This construction work requires the installation and removal of sheet piles, which are considered particularly noisy. Due to the immediate proximity to runway 16/34, some of this work must be carried out at night, as the required safety distance from daytime flight operations cannot be maintained. Those responsible currently anticipate 15 nights each for installing and removing the steel sheets between April and October.
Another major project concerns the apron north of the existing Dock A and Taxiway Echo. Various construction works are scheduled here throughout the year in connection with the construction of the new Dock A, taking place both during the day and at night. Here, too, noise-intensive processes will be used, particularly during the removal of sheet piles, which, according to current plans, will take approximately 20 nights. These nighttime operations are unavoidable for safety reasons as soon as the construction sites approach active taxiways and could thus endanger regular ground operations.
Zurich Airport emphasizes that shifting the work to nighttime hours is necessary to avoid restricting the capacity of Switzerland's most important air traffic hub during peak times. These projects are being coordinated in close consultation with air traffic control and operational departments. Despite efforts to limit emissions, localized noise pollution from pavement repairs and concrete work cannot be completely avoided. These investments in the airport's infrastructure are considered essential to meet long-term infrastructure requirements and the high demands placed on it by modern aircraft types.