As larger aircrafts are being used nowadays, there is a general shortage of apron and parking spaces at Zurich Airport. “Zone West” is one of the last areas to be developed on the west side of the airport which can be used for aviation purposes such as aircraft stands. Therefore, the airport operator will use the area to create a flexible apron spanning around 16.8 hectares over the next few years, and new stands will be set up in line with need. 

The first partial phase was concluded on time today after an 18-month construction period with the commissioning of two new stands for aircrafts up to category E (e.g. a Boeing 777 or Airbus A340). The new stands will be developed by extending the taxiway towards the north. In the medium term, additional flexible-use stands will be created in Zone West as further partial phases are completed. 

The new stands are in close proximity to the popular plane spotters' hill on the western side of the airport overlooking the intersection of runways 10/28 and 16/34. Since the end of April 2017, the four-metre viewing platform and a catering facility have been enticing spotters and visitors alike to this area. By the end of October 2017, 14 peep-holes will also be created in the airport fence, enabling people to get shots of flight operations from the ground too.