Terminals.
The airport has three boarding areas, known as Terminals A, B, and E [also marked as Gates A, B/D, and E]. These terminals connect to a central airside facility, the Airside Centre, which was built in 2003. In addition to the Airside Centre, the ground-side terminal complex, called the Airport Centre, includes several buildings that accommodate airline check-in counters, a shopping mall, a train station, parking areas, and a bus and tram terminal. All departing passengers must pass through airport security to reach the departure level of the Airside Centre, where they can find duty-free shops, bars, and restaurants. Passengers are then separated based on their travel destinations, with those flying to Schengen countries and non-Schengen countries going through different exit controls. Arriving passengers from both Schengen and non-Schengen areas are processed in separate sections of the Airside Centre, following distinct routes, with non-Schengen passengers undergoing immigration checks first.
Terminal A:
Terminal A features gates with the prefix A. It was inaugurated in 1971 and serves exclusively flights to and from destinations within the Schengen area, including domestic flights to Geneva in Switzerland. Following its expansion between 1982 and 1985, it was designed in a finger pier layout, directly linked to the Airside Centre at one end.
Originally, Terminal A was set to be demolished and replaced with a new facility starting in 2021. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the commencement of this project has been delayed for at least three years.
Terminal B:
Terminal B includes gates with the prefixes B and D. It opened in 1975 and underwent a significant three-year reconstruction, reopening in November 2011. Similar to Terminal A, it is designed as a finger pier connected to the Airside Centre at one end. After the reconstruction, both Schengen and non-Schengen flights can be accommodated at the same gates. Each gate is assigned two numbers, one starting with B and the other with D, to differentiate the passenger routes and manage the flow of Schengen and non-Schengen travelers.
Terminal E:
Terminal E, which features gates prefixed with E, is also referred to as the Midfield Terminal or Dock E. This standalone satellite terminal is located on the opposite side of runway 10/28 from the Airside Centre, nestled between runways 16/34 and 14/32. It exclusively handles international flights outside the Schengen area and was opened on September 1, 2003. The terminal is linked to the Airside Centre via the Skymetro, an automated underground transport system for passengers.
Zurich Airport features three runways: 16/34 measuring 3,700 m [12,100 ft], 14/32 at 3,300 m [10,800 ft], and 10/28 at 2,500 m [8,200 ft]. Typically, runway 14 is designated for landings, while runways 16 and 28 are primarily used for takeoffs throughout most of the day and under various conditions, although different patterns may be observed during early morning and evening hours. On 3 March 2024, Zurich voters approved the extension of two runways at the airport. The plan includes extending runway 28 by 400 meters [1,300 ft] to the west and runway 32 by 280 meters [920 ft] to the north, aimed at enhancing safety and minimizing noise pollution. This initiative has garnered support from the Zurich government and a majority of political parties.