Zurich to publicly display applications for runway 28 and 32 extensions in June 2026
From 1 to 30 June 2026, Flughafen Zürich AG will publicly display the applications for approval of the plans to extend runways 28 and 32, together with the revised safety zone plan. This marks another step in a project intended to increase safety margins and improve the stability of airport operations in various weather conditions.
Zurich voters approved the runway extensions in a cantonal referendum on 3 March 2024. According to the airport operator, both extended runways are meant to provide greater safety margins in the future and more stable operations under various weather conditions for all aircraft types.
The project has its roots in a comprehensive safety analysis from 2012, which at the time identified around 30 measures to improve the airport's safety margins. The extensions of runways 28 and 32 are among the most significant of these.
Since the cantonal referendum, Flughafen Zürich AG has been preparing documentation and plans for both approval applications. The submitted documents describe the spatial and technical design of the projects as well as their environmental impact, as set out in the relevant environmental impact reports. These include, among other things, detailed plans for the runways and taxiways, and the relocation of the Glatt river and a cantonal road.
Differences between the projects
- The extension of runway 32 takes place mostly within the existing airport grounds and requires relatively minor construction work; construction is expected to take around two years.
- The extension of runway 28 is considerably more demanding — it involves extensive earthworks, the relocation of the Glatt river, and adjustments to road, cycling, pedestrian and utility infrastructure on the landside; including preparatory work, it is expected to take around seven to eight years.
- Construction of both extensions is planned to start at the earliest in 2030 and will depend on the further progress of the approval procedures.
Runway 28 is to be extended by 400 metres to the west, which is meant to improve safety margins both on landing and in the event of a rejected takeoff, thanks to a longer available braking distance. The extension is also meant to increase the availability of the so-called eastern operating concept (landings from the east, takeoffs to the north) in poor weather, and to help reduce delays as well as evening and night noise.
Runway 32 is to be extended by 280 metres to the north, which according to the operator would allow virtually all heavy long-haul aircraft to take off from it. This would make it possible, especially in the late evening hours, to take off directly from runway 32 at Dock E instead of runway 34, thereby avoiding runway crossings and improving both the safety margin and punctuality. The extension of runway 32 has no effect on landings from the north on runway 14; the landing threshold of that runway remains unchanged.
The extension of runway 28 will require the relocation of the Glatt river. More detailed planning for the application has shown that, contrary to earlier assumptions, it will not be necessary to culvert the river — it can instead be routed in an open channel along its entire length.
- Runway 28 extension
- 400 m to the west
- Runway 32 extension
- 280 m to the north
- Runway 32 construction
- approx. 2 years
- Runway 28 construction
- approx. 7–8 years
- Construction start
- 2030 at the earliest
- Public display
- 1–30 June 2026
The relocation and renaturation of the Glatt river will lengthen its course from approximately 1 to approximately 1.4 kilometres and increase the space allocated to the watercourse from 3.5 to 9 hectares. Around 4 hectares of new reed meadows are also to be created along the new channel. The recreational area is to be enhanced with new paths and a bridge for pedestrians and cyclists.
Because the extension of runway 32 shifts the takeoff threshold for long-haul aircraft 280 metres to the north, the safety zone plan — which protects the airspace around the airport from new obstacles such as buildings, masts, wind turbines, trees or cranes — must be adjusted accordingly.
The display of the documentation for the plan approval applications and the revised safety zone plan takes place in accordance with legal requirements from 1 to 30 June 2026. The projects are currently marked out on the relevant construction plots at the airport, with information boards installed at several locations.