Flowing as a straight line through the landscape, the River Glatt runs along the western edge of the airport grounds. During the Glatt correction works 150 years ago, the riverbed was deepened and canalised. The revitalisation of the section between Opfikon and Rümlang will restore a near-natural river course, with almost twice as much river space available as before – a significant gain for the biodiversity of local flora and fauna. At the same time, the area will be enhanced as a recreational landscape: new places to linger and relax will be created, while the revitalised river corridor will invite visitors to discover and experience nature and its dynamic development. 

The project as a measure for ecological compensation   

Flughafen Zürich AG is required is required to provide ecological compensation measures to offset the loss of protected habitats affected by its construction projects. The Glatt revitalisation project is being implemented as a compensation measure to alleviate habitat disturbance in the immediate vicinity of the airport and will also compensate for ecological deficits on site. Flughafen Zürich AG is investing CHF 50 million in this project.  
  
The revitalisation project requires the use of agricultural land. The soil removed from this land shall be repurposed to improve crop rotation areas in the Furttal valley.

The project in figures:

Due to the current nationwide discussion on PFAS, systematic soil sampling was carried out in the project area. The results showed that agricultural soils and riverbank slopes along the Glatt are contaminated with PFAS, with levels varying depending on proximity to the river and past land use. 

The affected areas of the Glatt revitalisation project lie outside the airport perimeter. They consist mainly of land previously used for agriculture. Construction of the first section, in the Eichhof area between Neue Rohrstrasse and the confluence with the Rümelbach, has been underway since April 2025. PFAS levels here are mostly minor, so it should be possible to reuse the soil. Flughafen Zürich AG aims to complete this section by the end of 2026.

At present, it remains legally unclear how PFAS-contaminated soil must be handled. Soils in construction sections 2 and 3 show contamination levels that would currently require disposal as hazardous waste – at enormous cost. Due to this unresolved legal situation, Flughafen Zürich AG has decided to postpone decisions on the further project sections until clear legal guidelines are established regarding the management of PFAS-contaminated soil.

Further information on the project delay can be found in the official press release.