Delayed summer journeys: Disruptions at a Swiss airport cause travel chaos
Article Title: Swiss Airports Navigate Busy Summer Season Amidst Staffing Challenges at EuroAirport
The summer travel season in Switzerland is in full swing, with both Geneva Airport (Genève Aéroport) and Zurich Airport reporting stable passenger numbers compared to 2024. Geneva is expected to handle nearly 1.7 million passengers in July and August 2025, while Zurich anticipates approximately 1.68 million passengers in July alone.
At Geneva Airport, measures have been put in place to manage the busy period. Check-in and security areas have been open since 4:00 AM since June 23 to facilitate early morning flights and minimize delays. The installation of independent baggage check-in equipment is also improving passenger flow. EasyJet is a major airline operating more than 80 routes from Geneva, and special services like home baggage pickup (AirPortr) offered by certain airlines enhance passenger convenience. To ensure a smooth journey, passengers are encouraged to arrive early, particularly on peak days, and to use Priority Lane tickets for security fast-tracking. Real-time flight tracking is supported via apps and messaging platforms.
Zurich Airport is serving 206 destinations via 63 airlines, adding six new destinations from last year. To reduce delays and cancellations, Zurich is employing a camera system to detect early aircraft preparation delays and a planning system to optimize operations. The increasing demand for US travel is noted by airport management. Popular destinations with high passenger volume include Berlin, Pristina, Porto, Dublin, and others.
However, the French Civil Aviation Authority's recent reorganisation has impacted the EuroAirport, located in the French community of Saint-Louis. Filling the new positions at the EuroAirport quickly is not possible due to the two-year training process to become an air traffic controller. As a result, significantly more flights at the EuroAirport require monitoring, necessitating more personnel. Unfortunately, this has led to frequent flight delays, with an average of 20-30 minutes and some planes taking off over an hour late.
It's important to note that these delays are not the fault of the EuroAirport or Switzerland, but rather the French Civil Aviation Authority. The airport of Geneva, Switzerland, also experienced significant delays at the beginning of July due to Air Traffic Control strikes in France. However, the situation has since calmed down, and it is not currently experiencing excessive delays.
The understaffing issue at the EuroAirport is likely to persist for some time due to the lengthy training process. Despite this, both Zurich and Geneva airports are managing high traffic volumes with enhanced operational measures to maintain smooth operations during the busy summer season. Flight tracking for Swiss flights between Geneva and Zurich or other destinations is active and up to date, reflecting normal flight operations.
[1] Geneva Airport Press Release, June 2025 [2] Zurich Airport Press Release, June 2025 [3] Geneva Airport Website, Accessed July 26, 2025 [4] Zurich Airport Website, Accessed July 26, 2025 [5] Swiss Airlines Flight Status, Accessed July 26, 2025
[1] Travelers planning their summer getaways might consider extending their journeys to include a stopover in Switzerland, given the smooth operations at both Geneva and Zurich airports, despite the high volume of passengers.
[2] For those with a taste for adventure and a desire to broaden their lifestyle horizons, exploring the diverse destinations accessible from Zurich Airport could be an exhilarating part of their travel experience in 2025.
