Switzerland re-opened its airspace Wednesday morning after problems with the air traffic control system – specifically a computer failure – halted take-offs and landings at Geneva and Zurich, and forced aviation authorities to close airspace.
“Swiss airspace is now open again and air traffic over Switzerland and operations at the national airports of Geneva and Zurich are resuming,” Skyguide, that country’s national air navigation service provider, said.
Zurich airport tweeted: “Flight operations at Zurich Airport are running again. Flight operations are scheduled at 50% capacity until 09.30 am (local time), and at 75% capacity from 09.30 am (local time). We recommend passengers to pay attention to the flight information of the airline.”
Update 2: Flight operations at Zurich Airport are running again. Flight operations are scheduled at 50% capacity until 09:30, and at 75% capacity from 09:30. We recommend passengers to pay attention to the flight information of the airline.
— Zurich Airport (@zrh_airport) June 15, 2022
News agency quoted Geneva airport officials as saying: “Good news! Air traffic has gradually resumed since 8.30 am (local time)” but cautioning ‘several flights have been cancelled’.
Earlier today Skyguide said a ‘technical malfunction’ had led to Swiss airspace being closed to traffic for safety reasons. “Airspace closure is in effect until further notice,” the agency said.
“Skyguide regrets this incident and its consequences for its customers, partners and passengers at Geneva and Zurich airports, and is working to find a solution. Skyguide will provide further information as soon as it becomes available.”
Geneva airport had said traffic would not resume before 11 am local time (1.30 pm IST). Zurich airport authorities said they too had stopped all take-offs and landings.
The halt was announced shortly after 7am local time.
Swiss news agency ATS-Keystone was quoted by news agency Reuters as saying all international flights to Switzerland were being re-routed to Milan in Italy.
Flights are also being re-routed to Lyon in France and Vienna in Austria.
Short-haul flights are currently not taking off.