Zurich voters approve extension of runways at airport

Voters in canton Zurich have given the all-clear for an extension of two runways at the country’s biggest airport. Following the result on Sunday, airport authorities can now move ahead with a 400-metre extension to one runway and a 280m lengthening of another. The airport will bear the CHF250 million ($283 million) costs itself. Some 61.7% of Zurich voters approved the extensions, with a turnout of 57.6%. According to the airport – Switzerland’s biggest and busiest – the aim of the project is to improve safety and punctuality. Aircraft noise in the evening will also be reduced, it says. The project was mainly supported by centre-right parties, as well as Zurich’s cantonal government and parliament. + Read more: Zurich airport turned 75 last year It was challenged by opponents of aircraft noise as well as left-wing parties who said it would lead to more flights in the longer-term: this means more noise and more airline emissions, they argued. For them, the airport is already busy ...