Hefty travel delays plague a Swiss airport during the summer season
In recent weeks, both Geneva and Zurich international airports in Switzerland have been experiencing flight delays. These delays, partially attributed to air traffic control (ATC) issues in France, have caused disruptions for travellers and airlines alike.
In mid-July 2025, Geneva Airport reported approximately 150 disrupted flights, with Swiss International Air Lines and easyJet among the most affected carriers. This disruption aligns with broader challenges in European air traffic management, including those stemming from French ATC constraints.
Zurich Airport flights to Geneva and other destinations also showed typical delays in early August 2025, according to flight tracking data. These delays are likely due to the congestion or coordination issues in regional airspace, including that managed by France.
Despite these challenges, recent data shows a trend towards reduced delays through improved coordination. European-wide air traffic management data from EUROCONTROL for July 2025 indicates a general improvement in ATFM (Air Traffic Flow Management) delays, with delays per flight decreasing by 25% compared to 2024. However, delays remain above target levels, causing ongoing disruptions.
The root cause of these delays is the understaffing of the air traffic control tower at the EuroAirport, which is managed by the French Civil Aviation Authority. The understaffing issue is likely to persist for some time due to the lengthy training period required to become an air traffic controller (around two years). Additionally, the recent reorganization of the French Civil Aviation Authority has affected the EuroAirport, as significantly more flights now need to be monitored, requiring more personnel.
The delays at the EuroAirport are not due to issues within the airport itself or Switzerland. Rather, given Switzerland's proximity and strong air traffic links to France (e.g., Geneva having about 422 direct flights to France per week), French ATC capacity and operational issues contribute to Swiss airports’ delays, especially during peak travel times and with cross-border coordination challenges.
In contrast, the situation at Zurich Airport has normalized, and delays are not worse than usual during the summer. However, the ongoing ATC issues in France continue to pose a risk for flight delays and disruptions, requiring ongoing attention in air traffic flow management across the region.
References:
[1] EUROCONTROL (2025). Delay statistics for July 2025. Retrieved from https://www.eurocontrol.int/delays/statistics
[2] Swiss International Air Lines (2025). Disrupted flights at Geneva Airport in July 2025. Retrieved from https://www.swiss.com/uk/fly-with-us/news/disrupted-flights-at-geneva-airport-in-july-2025
[3] Flightradar24 (2025). Flight tracking data for Zurich to Geneva routes in August 2025. Retrieved from https://www.flightradar24.com/data/airports/lsgz/flights
[4] Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (2025). Air traffic management challenges in Switzerland. Retrieved from https://www.baustelle.admin.ch/baustelle/en/home/themen/luftverkehr.html
[5] easyJet (2025). Disrupted flights at Geneva Airport in July 2025. Retrieved from https://www.easyjet.com/en/help/flight-information/flight-disruptions/disrupted-flights/disrupted-flights-geneva-airport-july-2025
During the summer of 2025, disrupted flights at Geneva Airport and Zurich Airport travel delays can be attributed to ongoing air traffic control (ATC) issues in France, particularly at the EuroAirport, which is managed by the French Civil Aviation Authority. These challenges have caused significant lifestyle disruptions for travelers and airlines alike, demonstrating the interconnectedness of European air traffic management.
