Flights to and from Zurich Airport are more likely to be delayed over the next four weeks, as the airspace above Switzerland is redesigned. Though the changes will mean better security for airlines that use the airport, the number of flights that can take off and land will be heavily reduced.

Disruption at Zurich Airport likely from March 20

In a statement, Skyguide - the company responsible for air traffic control in Switzerland - confirmed that there will be disruption to services at Zurich Airport, beginning on March 20. The company hopes to have systems back up and running at full capacity by around April 17.

It comes as the Federal Office for Civil Aviation implements a new airspace design around Zurich. Though the new system will increase safety by reducing the chance of airspace violations, flight capacity will have to be reduced by 20 percent so that air traffic controllers and pilots can get used to the new system.

Delays expected for flights to and from Switzerland

As a result, Zurich Airport spokesperson Bettina Kunz told the Tages-Anzeiger that the change will have a “negative impact on punctuality at the airport.” SWISS spokesperson Silvia Exer-Kuhn added that they “expect this temporary measure to lead to delays."

Kunz explained that with flight capacity reduced, there will be fewer opportunities to take off and land at Zurich Airport, increasing the likelihood of delays. She added that while they cannot say exactly how many flights will be affected, the biggest delays will be seen during periods of high traffic and bad weather.

The delays will come at a poor time for families, with many set to fly abroad during the Easter school holidays - last spring break, 90.000 people used the airport every day. For airlines, the reduced capacity will also come at a time when many carriers like SWISS switch to their new and expanded summer flight schedules.

Poor punctuality remains a big challenge for Swiss airlines

Though delays have started to improve, punctuality remains one of the biggest challenges for Swiss airlines and airports. Last summer, Switzerland was the worst country in Europe for punctuality, with Skyguide admitting that bugs in their system were responsible for a third of all delays.

SWISS, Skyguide and Zurich Airport said they hoped the disruption to flights would be short, adding that they were doing all they could to reduce delays. Passengers are advised to check the status of their flight regularly, with Exer-Kuhn concluding by “thank[ing] our passengers for their understanding and patience during this adjustment period."

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