Zurich Airport: Referendum on planned runway extensions

In about four weeks, the residents of the canton of Zurich will be asked to vote regarding the planned runway extensions at Zurich-Kloten Airport. A referendum will decide whether the project can be implemented or not.

For the first time in around 50 years, the runway system at Zurich Airport is to be adjusted. In order to increase the safety margin in flight operations, two of the three runways are to be extended by 400 and 280 meters respectively. The runway extensions reduce the complexity of Zurich Airport, which, with its crossed runways, is one of the most demanding in the world.

A near-accident involving two aircraft taking off on the intersecting runways in 2011 resulted in a comprehensive federal safety review. The report “Zurich Airport Security Review (SÜFZ)” lists 30 measures to improve and optimize security at Zurich Airport. Two of these are the extensions of runways 28 and 32. Accordingly, the Federal Council has formulated an order for Flughafen Zürich AG in the Aviation Infrastructure Sectoral Plan (SIL). According to the airport law, changes to the location and length of the runways are subject to political approval in the canton of Zurich, which is why they will be voted on on March 3, 2024.