Facilities Ranking
Safety Ranking
Environmental Ranking
• Region: Europe
• Country/State: Switzerland (Canton of Zurich)
• City/Town: Zurich (Kloten)
• Website: https://www.zurich-airport.com
• Type of Airport: International
• Airport code/s:
o IATA: ZRH
o ICAO: LSZH
• Terminals:
– Airside Center (central hub)
– Dock A (Schengen)
– Dock B (Schengen & non-Schengen)
– Dock E (midfield satellite, non-Schengen; underground Skymetro link)
• Passenger numbers:
– ~31.2 million passengers (calendar year 2024)
Parking
• Short-term: Multi-storey short-stay parking directly connected to terminals
• Long-term: Long-stay parking facilities with rail or shuttle access; advance booking available
• Valet: Official valet parking service available (premium, paid)
Hotel
• On site:
– Radisson Blu Hotel Zurich Airport (direct terminal access)
• Nearby:
– Multiple airport-area hotels in Kloten and northern Zurich with rail or shuttle access
Other facilities
• Restaurants/cafes: Extensive Swiss and international dining options airside and landside
• Bars: Wine bars, cafés and licensed restaurants throughout terminals
• Lounges: SWISS lounges, Star Alliance partner lounges, independent lounges
• Duty-free shops: Extensive duty-free retail areas operated by Avolta (formerly Dufry)
• Gift shops/newsagent/chemist: Souvenirs, books, convenience stores and pharmacies
• On-site travel agent: Limited; airline desks and tourism information counters provided
• Help desk/Lost & found: Airport information desks and centralised lost & found service
• Car rental: Major international and European car-rental brands on site
• Taxi/transport to city: Trains (mainline and S-Bahn), trams, buses, taxis and ride-hailing services
• Baby/parent room: Baby care rooms, family toilets and children’s play areas across terminals
• Business center/free-Wi-Fi/charging: Free Wi-Fi; extensive charging points; business services via lounges
• Gym: Fitness facilities available at on-site hotel; no public terminal gym
• Beauty center/hairdresser: Beauty salons, spas and grooming services available
• Other facilities: Medical centre, prayer rooms, observation deck, shopping boulevard (Airside Center)
• Biometric check-in: Biometric self-service check-in and boarding used by SWISS and selected partners
• Biometric customs: Automated e-gates for biometric passport holders (eligible travellers)
Disabled/accessibility
• Free PRM assistance provided by airport operator; request via airline in advance
• Wheelchair assistance from curbside to gate and arrival halls
• Fully step-free access throughout terminals with ramps, elevators and wide corridors
• Accessible parking spaces close to terminal entrances
• Accessible toilets throughout terminals
• Priority security and border-control lanes available
• Assistance dogs permitted
• Support for non-visible disabilities via trained staff
• Rail, tram and bus stations designed with step-free access, tactile paving and audible announcements
Runways
• Runway 10/28
• Runway 14/32
• Runway 16/34
Length/Width
• 10/28: ~2,500 m × 60 m
• 14/32: ~3,300 m × 60 m
• 16/34: ~3,700 m × 60 m
• All runways capable of Code E/F aircraft operations (A350, B777, A380 with operational considerations)
Grooving of runways
• Grooved runway surfaces used to enhance wet-weather braking performance
• Advanced drainage systems mitigate hydroplaning risk
• Detailed technical specifications published in the Swiss AIP
ILS/CAT capability
• ILS CAT III capability on primary runways
• Approved for CAT III low-visibility autoland operations for suitably equipped aircraft and crews
Navigation aids
• Full ILS coverage with PAPI
• VOR/DME navigation aids
• RNAV (GNSS-based) SIDs and STARs
• Advanced surface movement radar and multilateration systems
Low-visibility operations
– Full Low Visibility Procedures (LVP) in place
– Regular CAT II/III operations during fog and snow
– Stop bars, SMGCS and strict ATC separation applied
On-time departures (OTP) data
• Airport-specific annual OTP figures not routinely published by the operator
• OTP performance influenced by:
– Winter weather conditions
– Complex runway system and noise-driven runway usage
– European ATC congestion
Airfield restrictions
• Strict noise-related operating restrictions, including night curfews
• Runway usage governed by wind, noise abatement and international agreements
• Slot-coordinated airport with capacity management
• Planned runway and taxiway maintenance managed via NOTAMs
Aircraft maintenance
• Aircraft maintenance capability on site
• Major maintenance operations by SWISS and third-party MROs
• Line maintenance available for most international airlines
• Heavy maintenance primarily conducted at dedicated SWISS facilities
Eco-efficient operations (e.g., energy use, carbon minimization, waste management, etc.)
• Zurich Airport targets climate-neutral airport operations (Scope 1 & 2) by 2030
• Extensive use of fixed electrical ground power and pre-conditioned air to reduce APU use
• Energy-efficient terminal operations with LED lighting and smart HVAC systems
• Comprehensive waste reduction, recycling and circular-economy programmes
Renewable energy use
• Extensive on-site solar photovoltaic installations on terminal roofs and airport buildings
• Use of geothermal energy for heating and cooling
• Increasing procurement of renewable electricity
Availability of biofuel alternatives
• Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) available for airline uplift
• SWISS and Star Alliance partners actively scaling SAF use at Zurich
• Infrastructure aligned with Swiss and EU SAF policy frameworks
Conservation of biodiversity [actual programs]
• Active biodiversity management of grasslands, wetlands and forest areas within airport perimeter
• Long-term ecological monitoring in cooperation with environmental authorities
• Biodiversity considerations embedded in airport land-use and development planning
Sustainable transportation
• Strong public transport integration: mainline rail, S-Bahn, trams and buses
• High public-transport mode share for passengers and staff
• Electrification of airport-owned and ground-service vehicle fleets
• Extensive EV charging infrastructure in car parks
Green building design
• Terminal developments designed to high Swiss energy-efficiency standards
• Use of natural daylight, high-performance glazing and efficient HVAC systems
• Lifecycle carbon reduction embedded in capital projects
• Sustainability criteria applied across all infrastructure development
