Zurich aircraft noise exceeds limits

Some 53,173 people were affected by aircraft noise in Zurich in 2023 – 6,173 more than the limit of 47,000 people. Among other things, this is due to significantly more frequent night flights caused by delays during the day. + Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox The number of flights after 11 pm exceeded the pre-pandemic level, according to the airport report published on Thursday. The canton’s expectations regarding noise limitation have therefore not been met. However, the airport partners have introduced measures to improve punctuality. Further adjustments are needed for a long-term improvement, it said. For example, a tightening of the day and night surcharges. This could create an incentive to plan flights in such a way that delays and associated noise pollution after 11 pm are reduced. In Zurich, a night flight ban applies from 11:30 pm to 6 am. However, the period from 11 pm to 11.30 am is reserved exclusively for delayed take-offs and landings.