The operating hours of Zurich Airport are from 6:00 to 23:30 every day.

• Flight Operations

There can be several reasons for deviations from the regular operating concept. In most cases, it is due to weather conditions, for example when the wind comes from an unfavorable direction. Technical or operational factors can also play a role, such as when a runway is temporarily closed or maintenance work is taking place.

At Zurich Airport, the following principle always applies: flight safety is the highest priority and must be guaranteed at all times. The operating concept in use is therefore primarily determined by safety requirements and the applicable political framework.

An overview of additional reasons for a change of concept can be found under flight operations.

• Flight Operations

The demand forecast in the Aviation Infrastructure Sector Plan (SIL) projects an annual number of 346,000 aircraft movements at Zurich Airport by 2030, of which 12,800 movements are expected to take place at night.

More air traffic generally leads to higher noise exposure. At the same time, new technologies such as quieter engines and additional noise reducing measures on aircraft help lower overall noise levels.

How noise will develop in the future depends on many factors, including location, weather conditions, the use of certain routes, technological progress and the actual volume of air traffic. A general prediction is therefore not possible.

At Zurich Airport, a distinction is made between a winter and a summer flight schedule. The summer schedule applies from the end of March to the end of October. During this period, passenger numbers are higher due to vacation travel. As a result, the flight offering is expanded: additional seasonal destinations are served, and popular destinations are operated more frequently. This leads to an increase in traffic volume, which can also affect noise exposure.

The winter schedule applies afterward, from the end of October until the end of March. During this period, the flight offering is generally reduced.

The operating hours remain the same throughout the year: every day from 6:00 to 23:30.

The Implementing Regulation of the German Air Traffic Order (DVO) specifies that aircraft approaching Zurich Airport may use German airspace below flight level 120 (about 3,600 meters) only during certain time windows:

• Weekdays: 7:00 to 21:00
• Weekends and public holidays in Baden-Württemberg: 9:00 to 20:00
• This means that when crossing the German border, aircraft must still be at least 3,600 meters high before 7:00 or 9:00. The flight from the German border to landing takes about eight minutes. For this reason, landings on runway 34 may still occur shortly after 7:00 or 9:00.

• DVO
• More information on southern approaches

The Swiss airspace is also open to international transit traffic. This means that aircraft that neither depart from nor land at Zurich may fly over Switzerland on their way to other destinations.

These so called overflights usually take place at high altitudes, generally around 8,000 meters above sea level, and do not directly affect air traffic around Zurich. The coordination and supervision of this traffic is handled by Skyguide, which is responsible for air traffic control in Swiss airspace.

Zurich Airport operates a sound insulation program to protect residents from excessive aircraft noise. You can check on the website whether your property is within the defined perimeter and therefore eligible for sound insulation measures.

• Sound insulation program

To protect residents from being awakened by early morning southern approaches, Flughafen Zürich AG equips bedrooms in the affected municipalities with an automatic window drive or a sound damping ventilation unit.

• South Protection Concept

The sound insulation program of Zurich Airport provides noise maps that show which areas are particularly affected by aircraft noise. In addition, published flight routes indicate which regions are regularly overflown and at what times higher traffic volumes can be expected.

This information can help you better assess the noise situation at a location, for example before purchasing a property.

• Sound insulation program
• Flight routes
• Noise exposure maps

If you have further questions or need clarification, you are welcome to contact us through the contact form.

• Contact form