Zurich Airport Schedules Navigation Calibration Flights

Zurich Airport will carry out a series of calibration flights in 2026 to verify the accuracy of its air navigation systems, including the instrument landing systems (ILS) and VOR/DME radio beacons used by aircraft during approach and landing.

 

The first round of flights is scheduled to take place between 9 and 17 March, with additional reserve dates on 1 and 2 April if required. These tests will be conducted in the afternoon and at night after normal airport operations have ended, with activities scheduled no later than 02:00 local time.

During calibration, test aircraft must fly slightly above, below and alongside the standard approach paths in order to verify the precision of landing guidance systems. As a result, some flights may operate outside the airport’s usual approach routes, and the aircraft may pass over areas further away from the airport than typical commercial flights.

Additional flights are also planned later in the spring. Between 27 April and 1 May, procedures for the northern approach to runway 16 will be validated to meet international aviation requirements.

Another testing phase will take place from 8 to 19 June following the replacement of the glide path transmitter for runway 28, which forms part of the airport’s instrument landing system. The new equipment must undergo extensive testing before it can enter operational service.

All calibration operations will be conducted using a Beechcraft King Air 350 twin-engine turboprop equipped with specialised measurement equipment. Swiss air navigation service provider Skyguide is responsible for planning and executing the flights.