FAQ Runway Refurbishment

What impact will the use of secondary runway 07/25 have on noise pollution during the construction phase?

The secondary Runway 07/25 will remain operational, making limited flight operations possible during this period.

As the Airport’s main runway cannot be used during the construction phase, a certain number of IFR flight movements will be handled via the secondary runway. These are flights involving larger aircraft types (A319/320), which are rarely handled via the secondary runway during normal operations. The changed use of secondary Runway 07/25 will lead to aircraft noise pollution being noticeable in areas that were previously little affected by air traffic or affected in a different way.

A complete overview of passenger-related flight services available during the refurbishment period can be found here.

What measures are being taken to monitor and limit construction noise during the refurbishment work?

Noise pollution emanating from the construction site will be monitored during the refurbishment phase. A specialised acoustics firm will develop the monitoring concept, carry out the measurements and evaluate the results. In addition, various actions are being taken to limit noise pollution:

• Concentration of the noisiest work during the daytime
• Preferential use of light signals to mark danger zones around machines instead of acoustic warning signals
• Installation of mobile sound protection barriers during particularly noisy work

How will aircraft noise be monitored due to the altered use of secondary runway 07/25?

Altered flight operations, with a modified use of Runway 07/25, will result in aircraft noise pollution above municipalities that had previously been largely unaffected by air traffic. This will be monitored throughout the entire construction phase via three mobile noise measuring stations in the approach and departure zones of Runway 07/25.

Why is the refurbishment work carried out at this particular time?

It was a consideration of various factors, including the expected meteorological conditions and operational aspects such as passenger volume. 

Why is the main runway in need of refurbishment? When was it last refurbished?

After decades of intense operational use, EuroAirport’s main runway 15/33 is in need of refurbishment.

Since its initial construction in 1953, the main runway was modernised several times:

• 1978: Runway extension to the north
• 1991: Refurbishment of the southern runway section
• 2011: Refurbishment of the northern runway section

This upcoming measure is part of a long-term maintenance program to ensure operational safety.

Why are easyJet and GP Aviation the only 2 airlines flying? Is this based on a decision made by EuroAirport?

While the main runway is suitable for all types of aircraft, the shorter east-west runway can only be used by smaller and lighter aircraft. Aircraft that are either too large or too heavy are unable to take off from this runway. During the main runway's refurbishment period, it will remain closed for flight operations. The secondary Runway 07/25, however, will remain operational, making limited flight operations possible during this period.

Alle airlines have checked whether they can maintain their flights during the refurbishment works via the east-west runway. It is due to three key reasons why several airlines decided against this practice: either the destination is too far away (the aircraft would be too heavy due to the fuel required), the type of aircraft used is generally too large or too heavy, or the airline was unable to use suitable alternative aircraft.

During the refurbishment period, only 14 passenger flights will take off and land each day. How many take-offs and landings (fight movements) would normally be carried out at EuroAirport on one single day during this period?

During the closure of the main runway, 28 passenger flights per day are scheduled (14 take-offs and 14 landings). During the same 36-day period in 2024, there were an average of around 200 passenger flights (take-offs and landings) per day.

We also expect around 55 additional flights (take-offs and landings) per day during this period (express cargo, flights operated by companies specialising in aircraft maintenance and conversion (Jet Aviation, AMAC etc.) and flights by small aircraft based at EuroAirport). So a total of around 80 flights (take-offs and landings) per day. 

Will cargo flights continue to be carried out during the runway refurbishment period? If so: What is the percentage in comparison to flight operations during “normal” times? And which type of cargo flights will be operated? Mainly express cargo flights?

Yes, there will be cargo flights during the refurbishment period - however mainly operated by means of smaller aircraft and within the business segment express cargo. We expect a similar number of flight movements for express cargo as during normal times, but with smaller aircraft. Typical cargo flights with larger cargo aircraft are not expected to be operated.

Does the runway refurbishment have an impact on the night flight ban? (Not for passenger flights as far as I saw, as the last flight movement is scheduled for 18:10: but what about cargo flights? Are there any exceptions due to the runway’s limited capacity?

No, the runway refurbishment will have no impact on the night flight ban. The secondary runway’s capacity will be sufficient for the expected traffic volume. Exemptive approvals can be applied for as usual, just as in regular operations. 

The wind at EuroAirport generally blows from north to south, which is also the direction of the main runway. However, the shorter secondary runway has an east-to-west heading - which means that aircraft are likely to encounter crosswinds more frequently. Is it likely that flights will have to be cancelled frequently because of this?

That is within the realm of possibility, yes.

Concerning the secondary runway between April 15 and May 26, 2026: Above which districts or neighbourhoods of the City of Basel does the departure route lead? And above which districts or neighbourhoods of the City of Basel does the approach route lead?

Approach and departure routes during the closure of the main runway do not generally pass over Swiss territory.

Which districts or neighbourhoods of the City of Basel are likely to experience higher aircraft noise levels during this period?

No districts or neighbourhoods of Basel are expected to experience increased aircraft noise pollution during the closure of the main runway. On the contrary: during this period, aircraft noise pollution there will decrease, as the approach and departure routes during this time do not usually pass over Swiss territory.

How often is the secondary runway actually used during “normal times”? And why is it used so infrequently?

During “normal” times, the secondary runway is used very rarely. In 2024, only around 1% of all flights were carried out via Runway 25. Due to its shorter length, it can only be used by a small percentage of all aircraft operating on our airport platform. Furthermore, the main runway is equipped with two high-precision Instrument Landing Systems (ILS), which enable landings in almost any weather conditions. The shorter Runway 25 does not have an ILS. When the main runway is in use, it is operationally complex for Air Traffic Control to include flight movements on the shorter secondary runway, as the latter crosses the main runway (and therefore its primary operating direction), which in turn makes additional spacing and coordination requirements necessary. 

What is the Airport’s typical total capacity between mid-April and mid-May? And what is it likely to be like during the refurbishment period? (Passenger numbers)

Concerning passenger volumes for this time period, please take a look at the question further above.

And what about catering options? Will their number be reduced? And if so: Which catering sales points will remain open?

At least one catering offer will be available in those areas that will stay operational during construction work: in areas open to the public (Swiss and French sectors) as well as after the security checks in the “Gates South” boarding areas and in the Y-Finger Dock.

Will private pilots be able to use the Airport during the refurbishment period? 

Operation of smaller, light aircraft based at EuroAirport can continue as usual during the closure of the main runway.

I have seen that the last landing is scheduled for 18:10. The latest departure is carried out at 15:15. Wouldn’t there be time for more flights? Why is that not the case?

This is an operational decision made by easyJet and GP Aviation in relation to potential limited visibility during the early and later hours of the day. For further information, we invite you to directly contact the respective airline.

Originally, it was stated that every airline could express their interest in maintaining operations, that is, in taking off and landing on the secondary runway. However, “only” easyJet and GP Aviation have reserved corresponding slots.

-> Did other airlines inquire about flight operations via the east-west runway but then decline, for example because the types of aircraft they use are not suitable for the short runway? (In Basel, for example, Wizzair uses exclusively or predominantly A321 aircraft, which are larger than the A320 aircraft mainly used by easyJet).

While the main runway is suitable for all types of aircraft, the shorter east-west runway can only be used by smaller and lighter aircraft. Aircraft that are either too large or too heavy are unable to take off from this runway. During the main runway's refurbishment period, it will remain closed for flight operations. The secondary runway 07/25, however, will remain operational, making limited flight operations possible during this period.

Alle airlines have checked whether they can maintain their flights during the refurbishment works via the east-west runway. It is due to three key reasons why several airlines decided against this practice: either the destination is too far away (the aircraft would be too heavy due to the fuel required), the type of aircraft used is generally too large or too heavy, or the airline was unable to use suitable alternative aircraft.

The secondary runway is technically too short for the types of aircraft operated by easyJet and GP Aviation.

-> Will easyJet and GP Aviation now take off and land in Basel with less weight (less fuel/fewer passengers or less checked luggage) while using the short runway?

No, the runway is not too short for easyJet’s and GP Aviations's aircraft types. The airlines selected a range of destinations that require no or only a slight payload reduction.

More distant destinations will not be offered during this period. (Payload refers to the “useful weight” of a flight – i.e., passengers, luggage and cargo.)

As stated at previous EAP events, the secondary runway does not have an Instrument Landing System (ILS). Pilots must therefore land according to Visual Flight Rules (VFR).

-> Does this mean that flight operations must be suspended earlier than on the main runway in the event of unfavourable weather conditions (thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, wind gusts etc.) ?

Yes, this is correct. The so-called minima - minimally required weather and visibility conditions for take-offs and landings - are more restrictive for operations on the east-west runway compared to the main runway. For instance, a minimum visibility of 5 000 m is required for landings on Runway 25. Unfavourable weather conditions such as thunderstorms, heavy rain or wind gusts can therefore restrict flight operations earlier.

The short runway is usually used by small aircraft “only”.
-> Will it now be possible to operate them normally during the closure of the main runway?
Will customers of aircraft outfitters at EAP such as Jet Aviation also be able to take off and land their jets as usual during the six weeks of the main runway closure?

Operation of smaller, light aircraft based at EuroAirport can continue as usual during the closure of the main runway.

Operators of companies specialising in aircraft maintenance and conversion (Jet Aviation, AMAC etc.) decide for themselves whether the east-west runway is suitable for their test flights. In principle, larger aircraft can also take off and land when being empty. However, this cannot be called “normal flight operations”, as flights must be adapted to comply with shorter runway length and associated operational restrictions, for instance concerning visibility minima.

There will be cargo flights during the refurbishment period - however mainly operated by means of smaller aircraft and within the business segment express cargo. We expect a similar number of flight movements for express cargo as during normal times, but with smaller aircraft. Typical cargo flights with larger cargo aircraft are not expected to be operated.