Zurich Airport has exceeded the canton’s requirements
Zurich Airport met the economic and transport requirements in 2022. In terms of aircraft noise, it was below the guideline values. However, the Zurich cantonal government maintains the need for runway extensions in order to reduce complexity and increase safety.
The Zurich cantonal government presented its airport report on 7 December. According to the report, Zurich Airport met the economic and transport requirements in 2022. At CHF 1,024 million, total revenue exceeded CHF 1 billion for the first time since coronavirus, an increase of 50.5 per cent. Costs rose by only 22.9 per cent to CHF 468 million. Profit amounted to 138 million francs, an increase of 149.3 per cent.
Passenger numbers continued to recover to 23 million, with the government expecting 28 million travellers by 2023. The airport is also doing well in terms of quality: it is ranked 7th globally in terms of accessibility and 8th in terms of quality. According to the presentation by the cantonal government, the number of people affected by aircraft noise fell below the target value of 47,000 at around 43,400. The airport also remained well below 320,000 aircraft movements with 216,000 – 10,000 of which were at night.
However, the complexity of flight operations remains high, emphasises the government council. Extending the runways, which will be put to the vote in the spring, will reduce the number of intersections in the air and on the ground. This will increase the safety margin, according to a press release on the airport report.
The cantonal government emphasises the importance of the airport for the location. It is crucial for Switzerland’s international accessibility, an important employer and an economic driver for the canton and Switzerland as a whole.