A redefined strategy, the passenger at the heart of priorities

The first Sectoral Aviation Infrastructure Plan (SAIP) agreed between the Canton and the Confederation and with the technical support of Genève Aéroport was submitted for consultation by the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA). This document is a long-standing reference framework of the Confederation with the Canton of Zürich to support the development of the international airport platform located near the banks of Limmat. The SAIP sheet of Genève Aéroport will accompany AIG in its developments in terms of infrastructure and movements. Furthermore, it will facilitate a better integration of Genève Aéroport into a very dense urban environment, thanks in particular to environmental and urban planning requirements that embody the sustainable development strategy pursued for decades by AIG.

As a reminder, passenger traffic increased by 4.95% in 2017 to reach 17,351,816, while the number of movements stabilised, even more significantly than in 2016, total landings and take-offs increased by only 0.49% to 190,778 movements. These figures thus confirm the trend seen in recent years, namely the clear gap between the number of passengers, compared to the number of movements. This trend will determine the investment strategy of Genève Aéroport by 2030, particularly in the context of the SAIP. Freight activity saw a very significant 18.7% development compared with 6.5% in 2016, reaching 89,012 tonnes of goods transported. This evolution is an indicator that reinforces the central position of Genève Aéroport for the regional economy.

Genève Aéroport ended 2017 with a turnover of 466.4 million (a 4.7% increase as compared to 2016), which generates a profit of 78.9 million, half of which will be paid to the State of Geneva. Financially, Genève Aéroport has consolidated its 2030 investment planning by contracting a historic bond of 175 million, for a coupon of 0.400% and over a period of 10 years. In 2017, Geneva was connected to 141 destinations (119 European and 22 intercontinental) in 49 countries.

In terms of market share, easyJet consolidates its leading place with 44.9% of line traffic on the platform of Genève Aéroport. Swiss has 12.1% of the market share on Genève Aéroport. This company has slightly declined in 2017 (decrease in traffic of -11,8%). This is explained however by the transfer of passengers from Swiss on flights operated by Lufthansa, company that holds Swiss. Other top ten airlines in terms of market share were British Airways (4.84%), Air France (4.34%), Lufthansa (3.43%), KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (2.57%), TAP Portugal (2.23%), Brussels Airlines (3.15%), Iberia (1.98%) and Emirates (1.82%). The Star Alliance network remains the leader with 27% market share, followed by Skyteam at 10% with oneworld at 8%.

Aeronautical revenue (passenger and landing fees ...) are stable and now account for 55.8% of annual revenue in 2017. Other financial revenues (commercial revenue, parking, operating income etc.) account for 44.2% of revenue. Despite the strong franc, the closure of some commercial space in favour of an extension of security controls or in connection with Brexit, these revenues are stable.

These revenues helped Genève Aéroport to substantially increase its investment to a total of 125.2 million, an increase of nearly 40% compared to 2016, excluding the purchase of the Swissair/IATA building in 2016. Part of this investment, namely 27 million, helped to significantly improve passenger flow in the secured area. Thanks to the improved security checkpoints, waiting time are reduced by 20 minutes at peak times.

You can follow the press conference live on our twitter account @geneveaeroport, #GVAlive hashtagThe annual report is available electronically at the address www.gva.ch/ra 

Taline Abdel Nour, Coordinator, Communications DepartmentPress Release