Zurich Airport is 75 years old
Since the first flight 75 years ago, Zurich Airport has developed into the most important transport hub in Switzerland. In the anniversary year 2023, Zurich Airport looks back on its long history and looks forward to future projects. The celebrations include a big airport festival from September 1st to 3rd, an anniversary exhibition and many other highlights.
On June 14, 1948, a Swissair Douglas DC-4 was the first aircraft to take off from Zurich Airport bound for London – on what was then the only runway 10/28 at the airport. Only about five months later, the second runway 16/34 was put into operation and in 1976 Zurich Airport opened runway 14/32. Over the years, Docks B, A and E have been built where there was once a swamp area. In five construction phases, Zurich Airport has developed into an international traffic hub with numerous direct connections to the world’s metropolises. Zurich Airport is not only of great importance for travelers, but also for the population: it is a business location, workplace, commercial center, excursion destination and meeting place. 27,400 employees work for more than 300 companies at Zurich Airport.
Numerous highlights in the anniversary year 2023
Various celebrations and events are taking place at Zurich Airport in the anniversary year. On June 14th – the day of the first flight – an anniversary exhibition started in Airport Shopping. On the weekend of September 1st to 3rd there will be a big airport festival for the population. At the official ceremony on Friday evening, Federal President Alain Berset is one of the guests of honour. As part of the anniversary year, the history of the airport will also be digitally processed and the spotter areas and the spectator terrace will be upgraded.
Zurich Airport of the future
Zurich Airport is and will remain in motion and will continue to be a safe, modern and sustainable airport for future generations. Projects such as the runway extensions or the new Dock A are important elements in ensuring safe and high-quality airport operations. The development of the landside passenger areas (ELP) will upgrade Zurich Airport in the coming years with spacious routes, better logistics processes, new retail areas and a food hall with outdoor terraces. The sustainable construction of the projects and the replacement of fossil fuels are part of the ambition of Flughafen Zürich AG to reduce its CO2 emissions to net zero by 2040. Zurich Airport will therefore remain Switzerland’s gateway to the world in the future, connecting people and places.
In the anniversary year, the airport is planning an airport festival from September 1 to 3, 2023.