Geneva wants to take the pressure off Zurich airport

Geneva's Carlo Lamprecht envisages an expanded role for the city's airport Keystone

Resistance to the expansion of Zurich's Kloten airport could benefit its Geneva equivalent, Cointrin. The authorities in canton Geneva have told Zurich they want to develop Cointrin's capacity to deal with international flights.

Carlo Lamprecht, Geneva’s economic head, confirmed reports that he had been in contact with his Zurich counterpart, Ruedi Jeker. He said he had suggested improving shuttle links between the two cities’ airports.

Resistance has been fierce from those living around Kloten. Last week the Federal Court rejected an appeal from environmental and residents’ groups against an expansion of the airport.

But the court ruled that more needed to be done to cut noise pollution and reduce jet fuel emissions.

The Geneva authorities believe Kloten, already a major hub for international flights, is reaching saturation point. They say there is greater room for development at Cointrin, where the number of flights could be doubled without increasing the size of the airport.

Geneva’s airport serves not only French-speaking Switzerland, but also attracts passengers from neighbouring France.

swissinfo with agencies