Taxiway routing around runway 28 –reducing the risk of collisions

The "Taxiway routing around runway 28" project is a long-term project. The operational and infrastructural measures require extensive approval procedures. According to current plans, it is assumed that the "Taxiway routing around runway 28" project will not start before 2030.

The costs for the airport operator are estimated to be CHF 315 million.

The project includes the new Yankee taxiway around the eastern end of runway 28 with its high-speed taxiways Yankee 1–3 from runway 14, the Charlie and Uniform taxiways, de-icing pad Zulu with its operational buildings, as well as the relocation of roads, operational areas and the airport fence. The Himmelbach and Ruebisbach streams will also be relocated and improved in a natural way. The new airport facilities require the dismantling and partial replacement of buildings and facilities at the Kloten-Bülach training ground (Waffenplatz), of hangars and stands for general and business aviation and freight. Flughafen Zürich AG is working together with the affected partners to find solutions.

The "Taxiway routing around runway 28" project also involves implementing large-scale ecological improvement measures in the area of lowland moor of national importance at "Goldenes Tor/Rüti Allmend". The meadows and arable land bordering the existing lowland moor will be improved with suitable measures for wet lowland moor habitats. This involves increasing the size of the "Goldenes Tor/Rüti Allmend" lowland moor by a total of 18.6 hectares. Furthermore, the dismantling and relocation of the tarmacked road in the direction of the motorway will enable the existing and newly created lowland moors to be connected. On another 16.7 hectares at the edge of the new lowland moor, drier habitats – also of higher ecological quality – will be created, which will be able to take on the role of a "buffer" for the adjacent lowland moors.

The existing and relocated tarmacked road will remain available for recreational use. It will also still be possible to access the "Goldenes Tor" via a dirt road.

Flughafen Zürich AG submitted the "Taxiway routing around runway 28" project to the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) for approval at the end of 2020. The project was approved by DETEC in April 2024.