The operators of Switzerland’s main airport, in Zurich, have presented plans to extend two runways, re-igniting a controversy over noise pollution.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch with Keystone-SDA/ug
Zurich airportExternal link says extending two runways would increase safety and simplify landing and take-off traffic.
Airport CEO Stephan Widrig described the upgrade as a step towards stablising operations. He rejected allegations that it was meant to increase capacities.
The financial investment for the project is estimated at CHF250 million ($278 million). Construction work is not expected to be launched before 2030.
The Zurich cantonal government has approved the upgrade in principle, but the cantonal parliament is still to debate the issue and voters are also likely to have a say.
Criticism
Opponents, including the Fair in Air groupExternal link and the Green Party, have dismissed the plans as “megalomaniac” and outdated in times of climate change.
In January, the airport operators decided to postpone building a new terminal and froze investments.
University students in Switzerland join Gaza protest wave
This content was published on
Pro-Palestinian activists occupied university buildings in Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich on Tuesday, widening the protest movement in the Alpine nation.
TradeXBank to resume full operations after Sberbank Switzerland taken off sanctions list
This content was published on
TradeXBank, the former Swiss branch of Russia’s Sberbank, will be able to resume its dollar-denominated activities from the second half of this year.
Geneva decides not to remove controversial memorials
This content was published on
The city of Geneva has presented an action plan regarding a series of controversial local statues and monuments of historical figures linked to racism, colonialism or slavery.
University of Lausanne calls for end to pro-Palestine sit-in
This content was published on
The pro-Palestinian occupation continues at the University of Lausanne (UNIL). On Monday evening, a group of students refused to agree to the deadline set by the rectorate.
Ukraine peace conference should include Russia, says Chinese ambassador
This content was published on
China supports a peace conference on the Ukraine war that would see equal participation of all parties, says Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui.
This content was published on
A majority of Swiss citizens have open attitudes towards various infertility treatments, including even egg donation, which is currently prohibited.
Reports of Swiss cyber fraud almost doubled in six months
This content was published on
The head of the new Federal Office for Cybersecurity (FOC), Florian Schütz, has presented a new strategy after just over four months in office.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Zurich airport in the red due to Covid-19
This content was published on
Switzerland’s largest international airport posted a loss in 2020, hit hard by an almost 75% historic slump in traffic due to the pandemic.
This content was published on
The Federal Aviation Office has decided to cap at current levels the number of time slots for planes at Switzerland’s main airport in Zurich.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.