Cantonal Council committee approves extension of airport runways
The Zurich Cantonal Council's Committee for Energy, Transport and the Environment is in favour of the planned runway extensions at Zurich Airport by a narrow majority. They are intended to improve operations. The airport and the Zurich Chamber of Commerce welcome the decision.
The Zurich Cantonal Council ‘s Commission for Energy, Transport and the Environment is in favour of the planned extension of Runways 28 and 32 at Zurich Airport by eight votes to seven, the Zurich Cantonal Council informs in a statement. According to the eight commission members from SVP, FDP, Mitte and EVP, an extension of the two runways will only lead to the consolidation of flight operations during peak times and bad weather conditions. Among other things, the communication cites greater reliability and punctuality.
The minority of SP, GLP and Greens, on the other hand, fears that an extension of the runways will also be used to expand capacities at Zurich Airport. However, they reject any growth at the airport “due to the pressing climate problems”, the statement says.
The airport is “pleased to note” the decision, it writes in a statement. The extension of the runways was an important measure to increase the safety margin and stabilise operations. They do not lead to an increase in capacity. There is no correlation between the length of the runways and the number of aircraft landing and taking off.
The Zurich Chamber of Commerce(ZHK) also welcomes the Commission’s decision. The existing system has proven to be “not stable enough”. Increased delays endanger “the function of Zurich Airport as Switzerland’s only intercontinental air traffic hub”, the ZHK writes in a commentary. “The runway extensions already demanded by the federal government enable the airport to function reliably and stably in all weather conditions.”
The next step is for the cantonal council to decide. The project is subject to an optional referendum.