New era dawns in Zurich
Runway extensions approved – freight facility under construction. Things are looking up again in the freight sector at Zurich airport. January and February saw 65,988 t of cargo handled, a plus of 9.8% year-on-year. New services and building projects allow the hub to aim to exceed its pre-pandemic figure again (71,508 t in 2019).
Despite the fact that the project was rejected by the voters of the city of Winterthur, near the airport (see page 25 of ITJ 1-4 / 2024), the electorate of the canton of Zurich accepted the extension of runways 28 as well as 32 on 3 March, with a majority of 62%.
Runway construction, which is expected to cost around CHF 250 million and is fully financed by the airport operator, is not scheduled to begin before 2030.
Construction of the new ‘Rächtenwisen’ cargo facility, in the east of the airport compound, is due to start in April, in contrast, and will be finished by 2027. It will be a contemporary alternative to the western and central freight halls, which have been operational for more than 60 years. The centre will cover 9,500 m2 and sport 20 truck ramps, zones for import and export processing, and for customs and security checks, amongst other things.
It will additionally also have areas for specialised handling processes for pharmaceutical as well as hazardous goods. A mezzanine for offices is also planned on the southern side of the building. After completion the new cargo hall will be rented and used by Dnata Switzerland.
Belly-hold cargo volumes are also set to rise due to ‘new’ scheduled flights that were already operated or announced before the outbreak of Covid-19. On 10 May Swiss is launching a link to and from Toronto (Canada).