Seventy-five years ago today, Zurich Airport began regular operations in Kloten, just north of Switzerland’s largest city. On Wednesday it commemorated its first ever flight with the flyover and landing of a Douglas DC-3.
It was this make of plane that made the first landing in the new airport on June 14, 1948, coming from London.
Initially, only the east-west runway was available. The north-south blind landing runway was opened a few months later in November 1948. It was only then that all scheduled traffic was transferred from Dübendorf, the previous hub of aviation in the Zurich area, to Kloten, the present location of Zurich Airport. The flight schedule was still manageable at that time, involving around only 20 take-offs and landings a day.
Zurich Airport’s first passenger terminal was inaugurated in 1953, meaning that passengers now had an alternative to waiting patiently in tight cabins as they had done previously.
In 1975 the airport inaugurated a second, and more updated, terminal featuring a shopping area.
In 2003 intercontinental flights were moved to a third and brand-new terminal, which was linked to the rest of the airport with a state-of-the-art Skymetro, an underground metro system capable of transporting passengers 1.1 kilometres with great efficiency.
In June 2016 Zurich Airport finally reached the 100,000 passengers a day mark. However, only four years later, it recorded a mere 262 passengers on the April 22, 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In its 75 years since opening, Zurich airport has been used by stars such as Louis Armstrong, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, King Charles III and Pope John Paul II, who famously kissed the tarmac on the runway.
On Wednesday, an interactive airport exhibition was opened in the Airport Shopping area. The main anniversary celebration for the public, with a large aviation exhibition and concerts, will take place from September 1-3.
More
More
The birth of Zurich Airport
This content was published on
Seventy-five years ago, work began on the construction of Zurich Airport, which quickly grew to become Switzerland’s busiest aviation hub.
Swiss invention: 90-year anniversary of first T-bar ski lift
This content was published on
On Monday it will be 90 years since the world’s first T-bar ski lift went into service in Davos. This Swiss invention was an instant success.
Iran summons Swiss ambassador over US and Italy arrests
This content was published on
Iran has summoned the Swiss ambassador, who represents US interests, to protest against the arrest in the US and Italy of two Iranians.
Swisscom receives greenlight for acquisition of Vodafone Italia
This content was published on
The takeover of Vodafone Italia by Swisscom is nearing completion. All relevant authorities have now approved the €8 billion (CHF7.45 billion) deal.
Novo Nordisk stock market plunge drags down Swiss device maker Ypsomed
This content was published on
The Danish pharmaceutical giant, Novo Nordisk, faced setbacks on Friday that weighed on the share price of Swiss injection device manufacturer Ypsomed.
Swiss press react to EU deal with mix of euphoria and scepticism
This content was published on
Swiss media reaction to the agreement between Switzerland and the EU varies widely. Some are celebrating, while others worry about what is to come.
Swiss Solidarity donations to tackle child abuse top CHF4 million
This content was published on
Swiss Solidarity, the humanitarian arm of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), has raised over CHF4 million ($4.3 million) to tackle child abuse.
This content was published on
The operators of Switzerland’s main airport, in Zurich, have presented plans to extend two runways, re-igniting a controversy over noise pollution.
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.