Zurich Airport Ltd. welcomes KEVU's unanimous vote against the Nighttime Peace Initiative
Zurich Airport Ltd. welcomes the fact that the Commission for Energy, Transport and the Environment (KEVU) has unanimously recommended that the Cantonal Council of Zurich reject the initiative known as the Airport Nighttime Peace Initiative. This is an important decision for maintaining Switzerland's intercontinental connections. The airport will critically examine the Commission’s counterproposal.
The popular initiative "Airport Nighttime Peace Initiative" was submitted in the Canton of Zurich on 15 April 2024. It calls for a further restriction of the airport’s operating hours. KEVU is now unanimously recommending the rejection of this proposal and simultaneously submitting a counterproposal to the Cantonal Council.
The fact that the Cantonal Council’s Transport Commission unanimously recommends the initiative’s rejection shows how harmful it would be for Switzerland. The initiative would weaken one of our country’s most important infrastructures as well as intercontinental connectivity in a targeted manner.
Intercontinental connections as a federal mandate
Zurich Airport is Switzerland's gateway to the world and an international hub that is enormously important for the country. With more than 200 direct flights (more than 50 of which to intercontinental destinations), it plays the vital role of ensuring that our country is connected to the world’s major cities, thus fulfilling its federal mandate. This global accessibility is indispensable for Switzerland’s competitiveness. Zurich Airport relies on its current operating hours of 06:00 to 23:30 to safeguard its ability to continue fulfilling this mandate.
Ensuring good accessibility
Compared to other European hubs, Zurich Airport already has the shortest operating hours. The current operating hours cannot be shortened any further, otherwise the airport will not be able to continue to operate as a hub and maintain good international connections. That makes keeping the last half hour (23:00 to 23:30) for reducing delays crucial. Without this option, many long-haul routes could no longer be operated and would be eliminated without replacement.
Shortening the operating hours by another 30 minutes would have a noticeably negative impact on the mobility needs of the population, the competitiveness of the Swiss economy, science and tourism.
With its clear decision, the Commission recognises that the current rules already constitute a very tight corset for flight operations. Any further cutbacks would put the airlines stationed at Zurich Airport at a considerable disadvantage. Moreover, the initiative is not compatible with federal law. It would create unclear legal circumstances and arouse expectations that cannot be met.
Counterproposal to be critically examined
By majority vote, the Commission will submit a counterproposal to the initiative to the Cantonal Council. Zurich Airport Ltd. will critically examine it. Any counterproposal that imposes further restrictions on what already constitute the strictest general conditions placed on an airport or that includes additional requirements would be rejected by Zurich Airport Ltd.
Decision now up to the Cantonal Council
The Commission’s rejection of the formal request is an important step towards securing Zurich Airport’s current operations as a hub and its long-haul flights. The next step is for the Cantonal Council of Zurich to discuss the proposal.