As the noise emissions are sometimes too high at night according to the Swiss Confederation’s Noise Abatement Ordinance, Flughafen Zürich AG must take measures. One of these is the increase in noise surcharges during the night hours as a regulatory measure to ensure that flights are as punctual as possible and using aircraft that are as quiet as possible.

Flughafen Zürich AG therefore submitted a formal request for the adjustment of noise charges to the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) In December 2024. The FOCA hearing starts today and is set to run until 10 February 2025.

Revision of noise classes and increase of daytime noise charges

The last time the noise fee model was recalculated was more than ten years ago. For this reason, aircraft types will be reclassified into five noise classes based on the noise measurement data recorded in 2023, taking into account technological developments.

In addition to the reclassification of the noise classes, an increase in the noise surcharges for starts after 23:00 and an additional fee level for starts after 23:15 will be introduced. This is intended to create an incentive to start the take-off procedure as quickly as possible in the event of a delay. The surcharges for landings between 23:15 and 23:30 are also set to be increased. In order to reduce the number of delays, airlines will be operate at Zurich airport until 23:30 without special approval.

In addition to the noise surcharges at night, the daytime noise charges will also be increased appropriately. The aim of this measure is to promote aircraft fleet renewal by the airlines, with a focus on replacing the short- and medium-haul fleets (A320 family). The aim of this measure is to create incentives for the purchase of the A320neo.

The increase in the noise surcharges for loud aircraft in Zurich, which are already high by international standards, is also in line with the SIL Object Sheet, which is currently under consultation. In the longer term, this will even provide for a tripling of today’s noise surcharges for starts after 23:00.

Federal Office of Civil Aviation to make a decision

As the formal request by Flughafen Zürich AG to increase the noise charges is a remediation measure in accordance with Art. 16 of the Environmental Protection Act, the noise charges are not defined under the regular procedure. Instead, the FOCA will decide on the formal request made by Flughafen Zürich AG. The noise charges will then be incorporated as a fixed component in the regular process for adjusting the other airport charges at Zurich Airport. This is scheduled to start in April 2025.

Federal mandate and noise protection

Flughafen Zürich AG has a mandate from the Swiss Confederation – a concession – to connect Switzerland with the world by providing the best possible direct connections. With around 200 direct connections, Switzerland has very good connections to the world today. At the same time, Zurich Airport has the strictest of framework conditions in comparison with similar airports. By increasing noise charges, Flughafen Zürich AG is advocating the improvement of punctuality and the purchase of noise-efficient aircraft types.

Measures with a high leverage effect blocked

Other measures that Zurich Airport intends to implement in addition to increasing noise charges to reduce delays include the "Straight 16" – the start on straight runway 16 during the day with the bise (north east wind) – or the unbundling of the departure route runway 28. However, these two measures have been blocked in the operating regulations procedure, which is annoying. The fact that the SIL object sheet has now been made available to the public is pleasing, so that the progress can be made with the processes.