Zurich Airport (ZRH) is gearing up for its annual World Economic Forum (WEF) traffic surge, and 2026 will be the busiest edition yet. Airport management announced on 13 January that it expects roughly 1,000 extra aircraft movements between 17 and 25 January, when political and business leaders fly in and out of Davos via the country’s largest hub. The influx includes state aircraft, wide-body charters for corporate delegations and a record number of business jets. To keep the flow moving, the Federal Office of Civil Aviation has granted temporary dispensations that will allow take-offs and landings after the normal 23:30 curfew.(swissinfo.ch)
Behind the figures lie months of micro-level planning. Zurich Airport, Swiss air traffic control provider skyguide and handlers such as Jet Aviation have assigned special “slots” to spread arrivals and departures across the clock and avoid ramp saturation. Most business jets will use remote stands on the western side of the airfield; crews have been told to expect bus transfers for passengers and self-service border kiosks under the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES). The airport’s GA terminal has increased staff by 40 percent and installed extra biometric kiosks to cut queuing times.(swissinfo.ch)
![Zurich Airport braces for 1,000 additional flights and late-night operations ahead of WEF 2026]()
Travellers can also expect tighter ground-side rules. Zurich Cantonal Police will apply the federal WEF security ordinance, meaning spotter mounds, observation decks and some perimeter roads can be closed at short notice. Passenger processes, however, remain unchanged; the airport emphasises that regular commercial flights should operate on schedule, with no curbs on hand-baggage liquids or electronics beyond standard EU limits. Still, corporate travel managers are advising executives to allow at least 30 minutes of buffer time for possible apron bus transfers and secondary screening.(marketscreener.com)
Before finalising itineraries, many WEF attendees will also need to confirm entry documentation. VisaHQ’s Switzerland portal (https://www.visahq.com/switzerland/) simplifies the visa process with online applications, real-time status tracking and courier pickup options, helping corporate travel teams clear one more item off their Davos checklist quickly and securely.
For employers, the key takeaway is that Zurich will be running close to capacity, and last-minute private-jet slots are unlikely. Companies that still need to book charters should look to EuroAirport Basel or military airfields such as Dübendorf, both of which will run pop-up customs desks during WEF week. Ground-handling fees are already up 15 percent on last year, and some operators are levying a “security surcharge” of CHF 500-1,000 per movement.(swissinfo.ch)
Behind the figures lie months of micro-level planning. Zurich Airport, Swiss air traffic control provider skyguide and handlers such as Jet Aviation have assigned special “slots” to spread arrivals and departures across the clock and avoid ramp saturation. Most business jets will use remote stands on the western side of the airfield; crews have been told to expect bus transfers for passengers and self-service border kiosks under the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES). The airport’s GA terminal has increased staff by 40 percent and installed extra biometric kiosks to cut queuing times.(swissinfo.ch)
Travellers can also expect tighter ground-side rules. Zurich Cantonal Police will apply the federal WEF security ordinance, meaning spotter mounds, observation decks and some perimeter roads can be closed at short notice. Passenger processes, however, remain unchanged; the airport emphasises that regular commercial flights should operate on schedule, with no curbs on hand-baggage liquids or electronics beyond standard EU limits. Still, corporate travel managers are advising executives to allow at least 30 minutes of buffer time for possible apron bus transfers and secondary screening.(marketscreener.com)
Before finalising itineraries, many WEF attendees will also need to confirm entry documentation. VisaHQ’s Switzerland portal (https://www.visahq.com/switzerland/) simplifies the visa process with online applications, real-time status tracking and courier pickup options, helping corporate travel teams clear one more item off their Davos checklist quickly and securely.
For employers, the key takeaway is that Zurich will be running close to capacity, and last-minute private-jet slots are unlikely. Companies that still need to book charters should look to EuroAirport Basel or military airfields such as Dübendorf, both of which will run pop-up customs desks during WEF week. Ground-handling fees are already up 15 percent on last year, and some operators are levying a “security surcharge” of CHF 500-1,000 per movement.(swissinfo.ch)
