Zone A –baggage sorting system

The GSA is being renewed and expanded for the following reasons: on the one hand, key parts of the system have reached the end of their life cycle and need to be replaced. Moreover, the existing systems for security checks on checked baggagehave to be replaced in line with new EU regulations. In addition, the existing GSA will reach the limit of its capacity in a few years’ time owing to current traffic trends.

The entire project includes a new building to increase the capacity of the existing, the replacement of many current parts of the extensive baggage sorting system and a larger early baggage storage facility to enable more flexible handling of the baggage sorting system. The new building has been constructed in a central location and will replace two buildings between Terminal 1 and the current core of the GSA. In addition, a large number of transport routes and systems throughout Zurich Airport has been and will be renewed – from Check-in 3 in the south to Dock E in the north.

The expansion and renewal will also optimise the system's energy needs and increase energy efficiency. In terms of building services, the project comprises several innovations such as water cooling for 3D CT scanners used to screen luggage. Another is the use of thermoactive building components for efficient heating and cooling of new-builds. Energy efficiency is also a key topic for installation engineering: intelligent software calculates the most efficient transport routes for each piece of luggage and transport lines can be included, based on capacity needs, to ensure that only those that are really needed are operational. The length of the conveyor belts of the high-speed transport routes has been defined in a way that allows the use of more, but also more efficient motors.

Construction of the new baggage sorting system started in 2017. The first larger technical substitution commenced in autumn 2019 with the replacement of the current baggage transport system (“Bagtrax” system) in the approx. 500metre long baggage tunnel that passes beneath the main airport complex. The new building was been handed over at the end of 2020/beginning of 2021. Since then, the development phase for the baggage sorting system installation was underway and completed with the central commissioning at the main airport complex in 2024. The systems to and at Dock E will then be replaced.

Flughafen Zürich AG is investing CHF 450 million of its own funds in the renovation and expansion of the baggage sorting facility. The realization of the project will be carried out in several stages. The final expansion steps will take place until 2027.