ZURICH AIRPORT: A RECEDING FUTURE ?

Commenting on the recent agreement between the Ministers of Transport of Germany and Switzerland, IATA's Director General Pierre J. Jeanniot said:

"The recent Swiss-German agreement to restrict the use of southern German airspace by aircraft landing at Zurich International Airport will produce serious difficulties for the airlines operating at that facility and for the travelling public"

While bilateral agreements are generally preferable to unilateral action by one of the parties involved, this agreement will severely constrain operations at Zurich airport and put into question its future as a major European hub.

This agreement will mean that the airport's most important approach axis, and the one that has been equipped with all the necessary technical and safety infrastructure for landing, especially during conditions of poor visibility, will only be used to a limited extent.

The decision will have also a negative knock on effect on already congested airports and airspace in the rest of Europe.

"While it cannot support a decision which threatens the very framework of international civil aviation, IATA stands ready to assist in seeking a long-term solution to the issues which would take into account the welfare of the communities involved while preserving Zurich's aviation future" Jeanniot added.