In 2020, a total of around 1.1 million takeoffs and landings were recorded in Switzerland’s civil aviation. This represents a decrease of 24% of movements and even of 71% of passengers compared to the previous year. Only 166 000 of movements were scheduled and charter flights, which nevertheless handle almost 97% of the total passenger transport.
The maximum number of flight movements in scheduled and charter flights was reached in 2000 (537,813). Up until the Covid 19 pandemic, the number of flight movements has decreased by around 70,000 (2019: 469,667), equating to a change of -13%. The decline in flight movements was a result of the events of 2001 (9/11 in New York, the demise of Swissair), the bank crisis of 2008 and the general trend towards increased flight occupancy.
The decline was mainly at the expense of Zurich Airport (-16%) and Basel Mulhouse (-23%), while Geneva Airport was actually able to record considerable growth from 2004 onwards (+22%). The reason for these deviating developments was that Swissair had already largely withdrawn from Geneva Airport for long-haul destinations back in the 90s.
Flight movements refer to the total number of takeoffs and landings (passenger and cargo flights) from a certain airport.
Scheduled fights are regular (commercial) flight services for passengers, air freight and airmail. Charter flights are occasional flight services for which travel operators purchase certain flights from an airline. Scheduled and charter flights are by far the most important area of civil aviation in terms of passenger traffic and the volume of freight transported.
Global Switzerland, Traffic and Communication, Air traffic
Traffic and Communication, Air traffic, Flight movements
Traffic and Communication, Air traffic, Flight movements
Traffic and Communication, Air traffic, Flight movements
Traffic and Communication, Air traffic, Flight movements
Traffic and Communication, Air traffic, Flight movements
Traffic and Communication, Air traffic, Flight movements
March 5, 2018
July 14, 2025
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