Zurich Airport Runway extensions: Requests for planning permission will be available for public review

The two requests submitted by Zurich Airport Ltd. to extend runways 28 and 32 will be made available for public review from 1 to 30 June 2026. This marks the next phase of a key infrastructure project aimed at improving the safety and punctuality of flight operations.

The Zurich electorate approved the runway extensions on 3 March 2024. The planned extensions of runways 28 and 32 are safety projects that will make it possible to increase the safety margin in the future while also ensuring more stable operations in different weather conditions and for all aircraft types.

The runway extensions can be traced back to a comprehensive safety analysis carried out in 2012. Around 30 measures for improving safety margins were identified at that time – with one of the most important being the extension of the two runways 28 and 32.

Extensive work related to the requests completed

Since the cantonal referendum, Zurich Airport Ltd. has worked hard to thoroughly prepare the reports and plans for the two requests for planning permission. The submitted dossiers show the spatial and technical characteristics of the projects as well as their environmental impacts within the framework of the corresponding environmental impact reports. Specifically, this refers to the detailed planning of runways and taxiways as well as the relocation of the Glatt River and the cantonal road, among other things.

The two runway extensions differ significantly in terms of their complexity and construction time. While the extension of runway 32 will take place predominantly within the airport’s existing perimeter and requires comparatively minor structural work, the extension of runway 28 is significantly more complex. That project requires large-scale backfills, the relocation of the Glatt River and adjustments to the landside road, bicycle, pedestrian and utility line infrastructure, among other things. While the construction period for runway 32 is set to take around two years, the extension of runway 28 (including preparatory work) will take around seven to eight years. Construction on the two runway extensions is scheduled to start in 2030 at the earliest and depends on how the permit process progresses.

Operational advantages of the runway extensions

The extension of runway 28 by 400 metres to the west provides for a longer braking distance, which improves the safety margins for landings and rejected take-offs. It also increases the weather-related availability of the east concept (landings from the east, take-offs to the north) and helps to reduce delays and noise during evening and nighttime hours.

In future, practically all heavy long-haul aircraft will be able to take off on runway 32, which will have been extended by 280 metres to the north. This will enable them to start directly on runway 32 at Dock E, especially in late evening, instead of on runway 34, which prevents runway crossings and improves both the safety margin and punctuality. The runway extension will have no impact on landings from the north on runway 14. The threshold of this runway remains unchanged, even with an extension.

The Glatt River can remain completely unenclosed

The extension of runway 28 requires that the Glatt be diverted. In-depth planning for the formal request has shown that, contrary to earlier assumptions, it will not be necessary to culvert the Glatt. The river can remain unenclosed along its entire length.

The relocation and renaturalisation of the River Glatt will lengthen the course of the river from around 1 to around 1.4 kilometres and increase the riverine area from 3.5 to 9 hectares. Around 4 hectares of new reed meadows will be established along the new river in addition. The local recreation area will also be upgraded with new paths and a bridge for non-motorised traffic.

Adjustment of the security zone plan

Because the extension of runway 32 shifts the take-off threshold for long-haul aircraft by 280 metres to the north, the safety zone plan must also be adapted accordingly. A zone plan protects the airspace at and around airports from the addition of new obstacles (buildings, masts, wind turbines, trees, cranes, etc.).

Public review until the end of June 2026

The planning permission documents and the amended safety zone plan will be made available for public review from 1 to 30 June 2026 in accordance with the statutory requirements. The project is currently on display along the perimeter of the construction zone at the airport. Information boards have been erected at several locations.