Policy framework –Swiss Confederation and Canton Zurich

Aviation is a matter reserved for the federal government (see Art. 87 of the Federal Constitution). The importance of Zurich as an intercontinental airport is reinforced by the federal government on numerous occasions in its aviation policy report, a white paper governing aviation in Switzerland.

• Aviation policy report (German only)
• Aviation Act of the federal government (German only)
• Ordinance on Aviation Infrastructure (German only)
• Noise and environmental protection principles of the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (German only)

As part of the privatisation programme, Canton Zurich – as the former owner – passed an Airport Act in 2000, obliging it to retain at least 33.3 percent plus one share of the share capital of Flughafen Zürich AG. In addition, it has been granted special minority rights, giving it a blocking minority on the Board of Directors in the event of adjustments to the location and length of the runways and changes to the operating regulations that have a significant impact on aircraft noise levels.

• Aviation policy report of the Canton of Zurich (German only)
• Airport Act of the Canton of Zurich (German only)