Zurich Airport Runway Extension Plans Open for Public Review

Zurich Airport has submitted planning permission requests for the extension of runways 28 and 32, with the documents available for public review throughout June 2026, marking a significant step forward in a long-running infrastructure safety project.

The runway extensions were approved by Zurich's electorate in a cantonal referendum in March 2024 and trace their origins to a comprehensive safety analysis conducted in 2012, which identified the two extensions as among the most important measures for improving operational safety margins. Construction is not expected to begin before 2030, subject to the outcome of the permit process.

Runway 28 will be extended by 400 metres to the west, providing a longer braking distance for landing and rejected take-off scenarios, improving weather-related operational availability, and helping to reduce evening and nighttime delays and noise. The project is significantly more complex than the runway 32 work, requiring large-scale backfilling, relocation of the Glatt River, and adjustments to road, cycling, and utility infrastructure. Construction is expected to take seven to eight years including preparatory work.

Runway 32 will be extended by 280 metres to the north, allowing virtually all heavy long-haul aircraft to take off directly from Dock E without runway crossings, improving both safety margins and punctuality. This phase is expected to take around two years to complete.

In a notable revision to earlier plans, the Glatt River will not need to be culverted during its relocation. Instead, it will be renaturalised, with its course lengthened from approximately one to 1.4 kilometres and the surrounding riverine area expanded from 3.5 to 9 hectares, along with the creation of around four hectares of new reed meadows.

The planning documents are on public display from June 1 to 30, 2026, both online and at information boards installed along the airport perimeter.