Zurich Airport's Massive Scale: A Comprehensive Overview

Zurich Airport, also known as Flughafen Zürich, is the largest airport in Switzerland. Located just 11 minutes from the city centre, it is the largest hub of Swiss International Air Lines. The airport is 13 kilometres (8 miles) north of central Zurich, in the municipalities of Kloten, Rümlang, Oberglatt, Winkel, and Opfikon. It was opened in 1948 and now hosts three runways and three terminals. Zurich Airport has been named the best airport in the category of 25 to 40 million passengers in Europe.

Zurich Airport's location

Zurich Airport, also known as Flughafen Zürich and Kloten Airport, is located about 13 kilometres (8 miles) north of central Zurich in the small town of Kloten. The airport is situated in the municipalities of Kloten, Oberglatt, Rümlang, Winkel, and Opfikon, all of which are within the canton of Zurich.

The airport is conveniently accessible by various means of transportation. It has a dedicated bus terminal with connections across the canton and the wider country. Zurich Airport also has its own train station, offering connections to Zurich's central station. Additionally, the Number 10 tram runs from the airport to the city centre every 7 to 15 minutes. For those travelling by car, the airport provides over 14,000 parking spaces across six car parks for both short and long-term parking. The terminal is also easily accessible by bike, as it is connected to a regional highway via a bike route.

Zurich Airport is well-connected to its surrounding areas and the city centre, making it a convenient and accessible hub for travellers.

The airport's terminals

Zurich Airport, also known as Flughafen Zürich, is the largest international airport in Switzerland. It is located 13 kilometres (8 miles) north of central Zurich, in the municipalities of Kloten, Rümlang, Oberglatt, Winkel, and Opfikon. The airport is served by the flag carrier, Swiss International Air Lines, and 70 other airlines, connecting Zurich to 137 destinations.

The airport has three terminals: Terminals A and B/D, and the satellite Terminal E. Terminals A and B/D are directly connected to the Airside Centre, where passengers check in and go through security. From there, passengers are segregated, with those travelling to non-Schengen destinations passing through emigration controls. The Airside Centre also features duty-free shopping, restaurants, snack bars, and cafes.

Terminal A, which opened in 1971, is used exclusively for flights within the Schengen area. It takes the form of a finger pier, directly connected to the Airside Centre. Terminal A is set to be rebuilt, with construction beginning in 2030. The new terminal will be largely made from sustainable wood and will feature photovoltaics, contributing to the airport's CO2 reduction strategy.

Terminal B, which opened in 1975, was extensively reconstructed in 2011. Like Terminal A, it is a finger pier directly connected to the Airside Centre. Terminal B can accommodate both Schengen and non-Schengen flights, with each gate having both B and D designations depending on the type of flight.

Terminal E, also known as Dock E, is a standalone satellite terminal located between runways 16/34 and 14/32. It serves non-Schengen international flights and is connected to the Airside Centre by the Skymetro, a three-minute automated underground people mover.

Its runways

Zurich Airport has three runways: 16/34, 14/32, and 10/28. The runways are 3,700m, 3,300m, and 2,500m long, respectively. The airport operates with three different runway usage concepts: the north, east, and south approach concepts.

The north approach concept is used from Monday to Friday between 07:00 and 21:00 and on Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays in Baden-Württemberg from 09:00 to 20:00. During this time, aircraft approach from the north on runway 14 or 16, and depart heading west on runway 28 or south on runway 16. Departures also partially head east on runway 10.

The east approach concept is used from Monday to Friday between 21:00 and 23:30 and on Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays in Baden-Württemberg from 20:00 to 23:30. Aircraft approach from the east on runway 28 and depart heading north on runway 32 or 34.

The south approach concept is used from Monday to Friday between 06:00 and 07:00 and on Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays in Baden-Württemberg from 06:00 to 09:00. Aircraft approach from the south on runway 34 and depart heading north on runway 32 or 34, and occasionally runway 28. This concept is also utilised when the eastern approach is unavailable in the evenings due to weather conditions or when neither the northern nor the eastern approach is available during the day.

The runway usage concept may deviate from the general plan due to weather conditions, runway refurbishments, emergency landings, accidents, or Rega deployments. Short-term changes are avoided to maintain smooth and efficient handling of flight operations.

In March 2024, Zurich voters approved the extension of runways 28 and 32. Runway 28 will be extended by 400m to the west, resulting in a new length of 2,900m. Runway 32 will be extended by 280m to the north, reaching a new length of 3,580m. The extensions aim to improve safety and operational processes and are expected to begin construction in 2030.

Zurich Airport's history

Zurich Airport, Switzerland's largest airport, is located about 13 kilometres north of Zurich city centre in the small town of Kloten. The airport first opened in June 1948, with the first flight taking off for London. However, the airport was officially inaugurated and began commercial services in the summer of 1953.

The history of Zurich Airport began in the early 20th century when mixed civil and military air traffic developed at Dübendorf airfield, northeast of the city. In 1919, Ad Astra Aero, Swissair's predecessor, began operating from the airport, and in 1932, Swissair followed suit. The first regular international flight service from Zurich commenced on 1 June 1922, with an Ad Astra route to Fürth, Germany. As aviation grew, the need for a dedicated commercial facility led to the search for a new location for an airport.

In March 1943, the Zurich Cantonal Government commissioned a study to identify possible sites for a major airport. A consortium of experts advised against expanding the existing airfield and instead recommended a separate civil airport in the partially forested moorland area between Kloten and Oberglatt. In December 1944, the Federal Councillor, Enrico Celio, spoke out in favour of Zurich-Kloten, and the following month, the governments of the cantons of Eastern and Central Switzerland and Ticino also expressed their support.

In 1945, the Swiss federal parliament decided that Zurich would be the site of a major airport, and construction began the following year. The airport's initial plans included facilities capable of handling international airline traffic and aircraft of up to 80 tonnes. The primary runway was designed for all weather conditions and night use, with a 3000-metre length and a 400-metre-wide hard surface.

The first stage of construction began on 5 May 1946, with the diversion of the Altbach stream. The West Runway was the first to open on 14 June 1948, followed shortly after by the blind runway. The new airport was inaugurated with a speech by Cantonal Councillor Jakob Kägi, marking the relocation of civil flight operations from Dübendorf to Kloten.

The second stage of construction began in 1954, with Locher & Cie designing various project options. The project included mandatory runway extensions and the extension of public facilities, which were already overused. However, the expansion project faced opposition and was rejected in a cantonal referendum in June 1957. A redimensioned expansion project was quickly commissioned, and voters approved it in July 1958. Construction began without waiting for federal funding approval, and the first buildings were completed in 1960.

The third stage of construction was approved in January 1969, with plans to extend existing runways, add a new runway, enlarge the pier, and construct a new terminal and hangar. Despite criticism from residents and communities near the airport, the expansion proposal was approved in a referendum in September 1970. Construction began in 1971, and by 1976, the new runway was opened, increasing the airport's capacity by a third.

The fourth stage of construction began in the late 1970s, as traffic volume continued to rise sharply. Voters approved a loan for civil engineering works in September 1980, and the Federal Assembly approved a building programme with investments of nearly CHF 400 million. The central element of this stage was the finger dock in Terminal A, which was put into operation in November 1985.

The fifth stage of construction, known as "Airport 2000", began in the early 1990s. This phase included the construction of a third terminal, Dock E, located between the three runways. The project also involved building an underground people mover, a road tunnel, and baggage conveyors. The new passenger hub, the Airside Centre, was completed in 2004.

In 1999, the privatisation of Zurich Airport was approved, and in 2000, Flughafen Zürich AG became the new airport operator. The airport has continued to expand and improve its facilities, with Terminal B undergoing an extensive reconstruction completed in 2011. Today, Zurich Airport is widely celebrated as one of the most pleasant and convenient European airports, offering a wide range of amenities and efficient transport connections.

How to get there

Zurich Airport is conveniently located just 10-13km (6-8 miles) north of Zurich city centre, with excellent transport links to the city and beyond. Here are some options for getting to the airport from the city centre:

Train

The airport has its own train station, Zurich Flughafen, located underneath the Airport Centre. Trains are the fastest way to get to the city centre, with SBB trains running to Zurich Main Station every 5-10 minutes during the day, taking just 10-15 minutes. In the other direction, services from the city to the airport start as early as 4:45 am. You can also take the S-Bahn lines S2 or S16, which will get you to the city centre in around 10 minutes.

Tram

For a more scenic route, you can take tram line 10, which runs every 7-15 minutes and takes around 35 minutes to get to the Main Station. This route takes you past the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH) and Zurich University.

Bus

The airport has a dedicated bus terminal with connections across the canton and wider country.

Taxi

If you prefer a direct journey, taxis are available at fixed rates. Taxi ranks are located in front of Arrivals 1 and 2, with a basic fare of CHF 6 and an additional CHF 3.80 per kilometre. The fare from the airport to the city centre is around CHF 50-70, and there may be a surcharge for luggage.

Car

The airport is easily reached by car via the A51 motorway and other main roads. There are over 14,000 parking spaces available across six car parks for both short and long-term parking.

Bicycle

For those who prefer to cycle, the airport is on a bike route linked to a regional highway.

Frequently asked questions