Notes to the consolidated financial statements
I Accounting policies
General remarks
The consolidated financial statements of the Zurich Airport Group – comprising Flughafen Zürich AG and its subsidiaries – have been prepared in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) and comply with Swiss law. They have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of the financial assets of the Airport Zurich Noise Fund, derivative financial instruments, associates and defined benefit obligations.
The single-entity financial statements of the Group companies, which have been prepared in accordance with uniform accounting policies, have been used as the basis for consolidation. The reporting date for all Group companies is 31 December. The consolidated financial statements are prepared in Swiss francs (CHF). Unless indicated otherwise, amounts are stated in millions of Swiss francs (CHF million). Due to the rules on rounding up or down, individual figures may not add up to precisely the sum total stated. This may also mean that individual amounts round to zero.
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRSs requires the Management Board to make estimates and assumptions, as well as exercise its discretion, when applying the accounting policies. This may affect reported income, expenses, assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities at the time of preparation of the financial statements. In the event that such estimates and assumptions made in good faith by the Management Board at the time of preparation of the financial statements subsequently deviate from the actual circumstances, the estimates and assumptions originally made are adjusted prospectively in the financial year in which the circumstances changed.
Judgements made by the Management Board in its application of IFRSs that have a significant effect on the consolidated financial statements, and estimates and assumptions with a significant risk of adjustment in the following financial year, are discussed in II. Judgements and significant estimates and assumptions in the application of accounting policies as well as in note 8, Property, plant and equipment and note 11, Intangible assets in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
New and amended accounting policies
Changes in accounting policies
The company adopted the following relevant amendments to International Financial Reporting Standards which are mandatory for the first time for the financial year beginning 1 January 2022:
- Amendments to IAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment: Proceeds before Intended Use
- Amendments to IAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets: Onerous Contracts – Cost of Fulfilling a Contract
- Amendments to IFRS 1 First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards: Subsidiary as a First-time Adopter
- Amendments to IFRS 3 Business Combinations: Reference to the Conceptual Framework
- Amendments to IFRS 9 Financial Instruments: Fees in the ‘10 per cent' Test for Derecognition of Financial Liabilities
The above-mentioned amendments did not have a significant impact on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Zurich Airport Group for financial year 2022.
Introduction of new standards in 2023 and later
The following new or amended standards and interpretations issued by the end of 2022 and relevant to the company are not yet effective and were not applied early in these consolidated financial statements.
Amendments to standards and interpretations
Effective date
Planned application by the Zurich Airport Group
Amendments to IAS 1 and IFRS Practice Statement 2: Disclosure of Accounting Policies
*
1 January 2023
Financial year 2023
Amendments to IAS 8: Definition of Accounting Estimates
*
1 January 2023
Financial year 2023
Amendments to IAS 12: Deferred Tax related to Assets and Liabilities arising from a Single Transaction
*
1 January 2023
Financial year 2023
Amendments to IAS 1: Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current
*
1 January 2024
Financial year 2024
Amendments to IFRS 16: Lease Liability in a Sale and Leaseback
*
1 January 2024
Financial year 2024
* No, or no significant, impact is expected on the consolidated financial statements of the Zurich Airport Group.
Changes in the consolidated Group
There were no changes in the consolidated Group in financial year 2022.
Summary of significant accounting policies
Scope and methods of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements of the Zurich Airport Group comprise Flughafen Zürich AG and all companies in Switzerland and abroad that it directly or indirectly controls. Flughafen Zürich AG controls an entity if it is exposed or has rights to variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity.
The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date on which control begins until the date on which control ceases. All assets and liabilities are therefore included in the consolidated financial statements together with all income and expenses in accordance with the principles of full consolidation. All unrealised gains and losses on intragroup transactions and all intragroup balances are eliminated on consolidation.
Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method at the date of acquisition. Consideration transferred in a business combination includes the fair value of the assets transferred, liabilities assumed or incurred and equity instruments issued by the Group. Transaction costs incurred in connection with a business combination are recognised in the income statement. Goodwill arising from a business combination is recognised as an asset. Goodwill represents the excess of the consideration transferred, the amount of any non-controlling interests in the acquiree and the fair value of any previously held equity interest in the acquiree over the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Two choices exist regarding the measurement of non-controlling interests. Non-controlling interests are measured at their fair value or at their proportionate share of the recognised amount of the identifiable net assets. When the excess is negative, a bargain purchase gain is recognised immediately in the income statement, after first reassessing the fair value of the net assets acquired.
Foreign currency translation
For consolidation purposes, all assets and liabilities reported in the balance sheets of Group companies that have been prepared in foreign currency are translated into Swiss francs (functional currency of the consolidated financial statements of the Zurich Airport Group) at the closing rate. Income statements and cash flow statements are translated at the average exchange rate for the period. Foreign currency differences arising on the translation of balance sheets and income statements are credited/charged directly to the translation reserve in equity. Transactions in foreign currency are translated into Swiss francs at the exchange rate in effect on the day of the transaction.
Foreign currency monetary items are translated at the exchange rate at the reporting date. Foreign exchange gains/losses that arise from the settlement or remeasurement of foreign currency items at the reporting date are recognised in the income statement.
Alternative performance indicators
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA)
EBITDA comprises earnings before tax, the finance result, the share of profit/loss of associates, depreciation and amortisation.
Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT)
EBIT comprises earnings before tax, the finance result and the share of profit/loss of associates.
Revenue recognition
Revenue is recognised by the Zurich Airport Group when the customer obtains control of a service.
Revenue in the “Aviation” segment primarily comprises passenger and landing charges as well as noise charges. Charges for providing assistance to passengers with reduced mobility are received by the “PRM” segment, while the “User fees” segment primarily receives fees for the use of the central infrastructure. Revenue in the “Air security” segment mainly includes security charges. Revenue is recognised immediately on rendering the service in question. Landing charges are billed per landing according to the weight of the aircraft. Passenger charges, fees for the use of the baggage sorting and handling system and security charges are based on the number of departing passengers. Noise charges are based, in turn, on the number of departing passengers and on an emissions-based charge according to the aircraft type.
The main components in the “Non-regulated business” segment are revenue from the marketing and rental of the commercial infrastructure at the airport (retail, tax & duty free, food & beverage operations, advertising media, parking, rental and leasing agreements, and energy and utility cost allocation). The service is rendered as soon as the commercial space is made available and the revenue recognised accordingly. For fixed-rent tenancy agreements classified as operating leases, the rents are recognised on a straight-line basis over the term of the tenancy agreement. Conditional rental payments (e.g. from turnover-based tenancy agreements) are recognised on an accrual basis based on the turnover generated by the lessee, in which case a minimum rent may be applied. If lessees are granted significant lease incentives (e.g. rent-free periods or other rent concessions), the equivalent value of the incentive is recognised on a straight-line basis over the original or remaining lease term as an adjustment to the rental income. Any lease credit losses suffered as a consequence of lockdowns in connection with the Covid pandemic were recognised in profit or loss when incurred.
Finance result
The finance result comprises interest payments on borrowings calculated using the effective interest method (excluding borrowing costs relating to buildings under construction), interest expense as a result of adjusting the present value of provisions and non-current liabilities, interest and dividend income, foreign currency gains and losses, and gains and losses on financial assets.
Interest income is recognised in the income statement using the effective interest method. Dividend income is recognised in the financial statements at the due date.
Borrowing costs arising during the construction stage for movables, buildings and engineering structures are capitalised up until the date the asset is taken into use or at the date of completion, if earlier.
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment is stated at acquisition or construction cost, less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. The construction cost of buildings includes direct costs for labour (third-party services and internal personnel), materials and overheads, plus the borrowing costs arising during the construction stage, which are capitalised up until the date the asset is taken into use or at the date of completion, if earlier. Borrowing costs and expenditure relating to significant assets under construction are capitalised.
Components of an item of property, plant and equipment with a different useful life are reported individually and depreciated separately. Expansion and replacement expenditure is capitalised only if it is probable that future economic benefits will flow to the Zurich Airport Group. Maintenance and renovation expenditure is charged to the income statement when incurred.
The assets (with the exception of land, which is not depreciated) are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life or over the term of the lease, whichever is shorter. The useful life for each category of property, plant and equipment is as follows:
- Buildings: maximum 30 years
- Engineering structures: maximum 30 years
- Movables: 4 to 20 years
Projects in progress are stated at acquisition or production cost and include investments in projects that have not yet been billed. These mainly comprise assets under construction. Once a project has been put into operation and billed, the related asset is transferred to the relevant category of property, plant and equipment and segment and depreciated over its useful life. From the date the asset is taken into use, or from the date of completion, no further borrowing costs are capitalised.
Government subsidies and grants related to investments are deducted from the carrying amount in the relevant balance sheet items and recognised in profit or loss over the useful life of the related asset. They are reported in the income statement as an adjustment to the depreciation of the related asset. All government subsidies take the form of “a fonds perdu” grants and do not have to be repaid.
Leases as lessee
At inception of a contract, the Zurich Airport Group assesses whether the contract is, or contains, a lease. This is the case if the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. This assessment requires a certain amount of judgement.
The Zurich Airport Group recognises the right-of-use asset and the lease liability at the commencement date of the lease. The right-of-use asset is presented in “Right-of-use assets” and the lease liability as a current or non-current financial liability, depending on its maturity. The initial measurement of the right-of-use asset is based on the present value of the lease payments, plus any initial direct costs and costs for the obligation to dismantle and remove the asset and restore the site, less any incentives received. When calculating the present value of the lease payments, the company uses its incremental borrowing rate at the commencement date, as the interest rate implicit in the lease cannot be readily determined. The right-of-use asset is depreciated over the shorter of the lease term and the useful life of the underlying asset. The right-of-use asset is tested for impairment if there are indicators of impairment. If the lease contains an extension or purchase option that the company believes it is reasonably certain to exercise, the costs related to the option are included in the lease payments.
The Zurich Airport Group has decided not to recognise the right-of-use asset and the lease liability if the lease term is twelve months or less or if the lease relates to IT equipment of low value (less than CHF 5,000). Payments for such leases are recognised on a straight-line basis over the term of the contract.
Investment property
Investment property (in accordance with IAS 40) is property held for the long term to earn rentals or for capital appreciation. It is measured at initial recognition at its cost and subsequently at cost less straight-line depreciation and any impairment losses in accordance with IAS 36.
In the case of projects, the costs incurred are billed and allocated to the relevant categories of investment property at the date when the related assets are brought into use. The assets are then depreciated over their useful lives.
The useful life for each category of investment property is as follows:
- Buildings: maximum 40 years
- Engineering structures: maximum 50 years
- Movables: 4 to 20 years
Joint arrangements
A joint arrangement (in accordance with IFRS 11) is a contractual arrangement between two or more parties which gives those parties joint control of an activity. Each joint arrangement must be classified as either a joint operation or a joint venture. In a joint operation, the parties that have joint control have rights to the assets and obligations for the liabilities of the joint arrangement and account for them in relation to their interest. In a joint venture, the parties that have joint control merely have rights to the net assets of the joint arrangement (the investment is accounted for using the equity method).
Intangible assets
Intangible assets are stated at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Intangible assets are amortised using the straight-line method.
With the award of the operating licence for Zurich Airport, Flughafen Zürich AG was also granted a right of formal expropriation in respect of property owners exposed to aircraft noise. This right of formal expropriation was granted on condition that the airport operator bears the costs associated with compensation payments and is recognised as an intangible asset at the date when the probable total cost can be estimated based on final-instance court rulings, so that the cost can be reliably estimated in accordance with IAS 38.21. The timing of recognition may differ depending on the airport region. At the same time as an intangible asset is recognised at the present value of the expected future payments, an equal amount is recognised as a provision. Any future adjustments to the probable total cost already recognised as assets and liabilities will be reflected on both sides of the balance sheet. The intangible asset is amortised using the straight-line method over the remaining duration of the operating licence (i.e. until May 2051).
In the case of clearly defined projects, external and internal costs directly attributable to the development of computer software are capitalised if they will be exceeded by the future economic benefits. The useful life of software is three to five years.
Investments in airport operator projects
If concession agreements for the operation of foreign airports fall within the scope of IFRIC 12, they are generally accounted for under the intangible asset model (IFRIC 12.17). In this case, the concessionaire as operator receives the right to charge for usage as consideration for the obligation to pay concession fees and provide upgrade services. The obligations under the concession agreements to pay fixed concession fees are recognised as financial liabilities. They are initially measured at the fair value of the liabilities using a discount rate appropriate to the risk. The rights to operate the airports that are received as consideration are recognised as intangible assets in the same amount and presented as investments in airport operator projects. The rights received as consideration for the upgrade services provided are recognised as an intangible asset on an accrual basis at the cost of construction. Revenues and costs relating to upgrade services are generally recognised in accordance with IFRIC 12.14. The financial liabilities recognised are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. The rights recognised as assets are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation over the term of the concessions. In accordance with IFRIC 12.18, any minimum revenue guaranteed by the grantor is deducted from the intangible asset and accounted for as a financial asset.
Investments in associates
Associates are companies where the Zurich Airport Group is able to exercise significant influence, but not control, over the financial and operating policies (where the Group holds between 20% and 50% of the voting rights). Associates are included in the consolidated financial statements by applying the equity method. Any difference between the cost of the investment and the fair value of the share of net assets acquired is determined at the time of acquisition and recognised as goodwill and included in the carrying amount of the investment. In subsequent reporting periods, the carrying amount is adjusted to recognise Flughafen Zürich AG’s share of any profit or loss and changes recognised in other comprehensive income of the investee and any dividends received.
Investments in associates where the Group holds less than 20% of the voting rights, but where it nonetheless is able to exercise significant influence, are also included in the consolidated financial statements by applying the equity method.
Financial assets of the Airport Zurich Noise Fund
In accordance with the principles in IFRS 9, the financial assets of the Airport Zurich Noise Fund are classified as at amortised cost (bonds) or at fair value through profit or loss (other financial assets).
Derivative financial instruments
Derivative financial instruments are used exclusively for the purpose of hedging interest rate and currency risks, and are recognised as other receivables or other current liabilities at fair value. Changes in fair value are recognised in the income statement.
Inventories
Inventories mainly comprise operating supplies and consumables used for the maintenance and repair of property, plant and equipment and are stated at cost or, if lower, at net realisable value. The first-in, first-out method is applied when calculating the cost.
Receivables
Receivables are measured initially at fair value and subsequently at amortised cost, which is usually their nominal value, minus individual allowances for doubtful accounts. As soon as there is sufficient evidence that a receivable will not be recoverable, it is directly written off or offset against the corresponding allowances.
Flughafen Zürich AG uses a simplified method to calculate expected credit losses on trade receivables. Changes in credit risk are not tracked; instead, a loss allowance is recognised at each reporting date on the basis of the lifetime expected credit losses. In addition to forward-looking factors specific to the borrowers and general economic conditions, credit loss experience to date is also taken into account.
The recoverable amount of receivables is the present value of the estimated future cash flows. Impairment losses on receivables are reversed if the amount of the impairment loss decreases and the decrease is related to an event that occurred in a period after the impairment loss was recognised.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand, in postal accounts and at banks and short-term investments with a maturity of 90 days or less from the date of acquisition.
Impairment of assets
The carrying amounts of non-current non-financial assets (excluding deferred taxes) are assessed once a year for indications of impairment. If such indications exist, impairment tests are performed for cash-generating units (CGU) and non-financial assets in accordance with IAS 36.
An impairment exists if the carrying amount of a CGU or a non-financial asset exceeds its recoverable amount (higher of fair value less costs of disposal and value in use).
Value in use is calculated using the discounted cash flow (DCF) method, where the discount rate applied is a post-tax rate that reflects the risks associated with the relevant asset. If an asset does not generate cash inflows that are largely independent of those from other assets, the recoverable amount is determined for the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs.
Impairment losses are recognised in profit or loss. They may be reversed if there are indications that the impairment loss has decreased or no longer exists and if there has been a change in the estimates used to determine recoverable amount.
The increased carrying amount cannot exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised in prior years.
Equity
Share capital
Shares are classified as equity since they are non-redeemable and dividend payments are at the discretion of the company.
Treasury shares
The cost (purchase price and directly attributable transaction costs) of treasury shares is deducted from equity.
Dividends
Dividends are recognised as a liability as soon as they have been approved at the Annual General Meeting.
Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities are initially recognised at fair value less transaction costs. The difference between the carrying amount and the redemption amount is amortised over the term of the liability using the effective interest method.
Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the entity has a present obligation as a result of a past event that occurred prior to the reporting date, if an outflow of resources is probable and the amount of the outflow can be estimated reliably. If the effect is significant, provisions are reported in the balance sheet at their present value.
Provisions for legal and constructive obligations for sound insulation and resident protection measures are recognised on the basis of the Environmental Protection Act as soon as they can be estimated reliably.
Provisions for formal expropriations are recognised for compensation payments as soon as the probable total cost can be estimated reliably based on final-instance court rulings (see note 11, Intangible assets).
Employee benefits
For defined benefit plans, the benefit cost and the defined benefit obligation are determined on the basis of various economic and demographic assumptions using the projected unit credit method and taking into account the past years of insurance up until the measurement date. The assumptions required to be made by the Zurich Airport Group include, among others, expectations about future salary increases, the long-term return on retirement savings accounts, employee turnover and life expectancy. The calculations are performed annually by independent actuaries. The plan assets are measured annually at fair value and deducted from the defined benefit obligation.
The defined benefit cost consists of three components:
- service cost, which is recognised in the income statement within personnel expenses;
- net interest expense, which is recognised in the income statement within finance costs; and
- remeasurement components, which are recognised in other comprehensive income.
Service cost comprises current service cost, past service cost and gains and losses on settlement. Gains and losses resulting from curtailments are regarded as past service cost. Employee contributions and contributions from third parties reduce service cost and are deducted from it if they are set out in the formal terms of the plan or arise from a constructive obligation.
The net interest expense is the amount calculated by multiplying the net defined benefit liability (or asset) by the discount rate, both as at the beginning of the financial year, including any changes during the period as a result of contributions and benefit payments. Cash flows and changes during the year are factored in pro rata.
Remeasurement components comprise actuarial gains and losses resulting from changes in the present value of the defined benefit obligations due to changes in assumptions and experience adjustments, the return on plan assets less amounts included in net interest expense, and changes in unrecognised assets less effects included in net interest expense. Remeasurement components are recognised in other comprehensive income and cannot be recycled.
The amount recognised in the consolidated financial statements is the surplus or deficit of the defined benefit plans (net defined benefit liability or asset). However, the asset recognised as a result of any surplus is limited to the present value of economic benefits available in the form of reductions in future contributions.
Employer contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised in the income statement as personnel expenses when the employee earns the benefit entitlement. When the benefits of a plan are changed or when a plan is curtailed, the resulting change in benefit that relates to past service or the gain or loss on curtailment is recognised immediately in profit or loss.
For other long-term employee benefits, the present value of the obligation is recognised at the end of the reporting period. Changes in the present value are recognised in the income statement as personnel expenses.
Share-based payment
Flughafen Zürich AG’s annual bonus programme provides for one-third of the allocated bonus to be paid out to members of the Management Board and eligible members of management in the form of shares. The share-based payment is recognised as an expense with a corresponding increase in equity.
Income taxes
Income taxes comprise current and deferred taxes. They are recognised in the income statement unless relating to transactions recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity. In these cases, taxes are also recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity.
Current taxes comprise the taxes expected to be payable on the taxable result, calculated using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date.
Deferred taxes are recognised for temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and their tax base using the balance sheet liability method. No deferred taxes are recognised for temporary differences in the following cases: the initial recognition of goodwill, the initial recognition of an asset or a liability in a transaction that affects neither accounting nor taxable profit, and differences relating to investments in subsidiaries to the extent that they will probably not reverse in the foreseeable future. Measurement of deferred taxes takes into account the expected timing and manner of realisation or settlement of the assets and liabilities concerned using tax rates that are enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date.
Deferred tax assets are only recognised if it is probable that the deductible temporary differences can be offset against future taxable profits.
Segment reporting
Reporting of operating segments is carried out in accordance with IFRS 8 in line with the internal reporting to the company’s chief operating decision-maker. The Board of Directors of Flughafen Zürich AG has been identified as chief operating decision-maker of the Zurich Airport Group responsible for major decisions concerning the allocation of resources and the assessment of the operating segments’ performance.
II Judgements and significant estimates and assumptions in the application of accounting policies
Reporting of noise-related costs in the consolidated financial statements
With respect to formal expropriations, the reporting of noise-related costs in the financial statements is a complex matter due to a multitude of relevant legal bases, unclear or pending case law and political debate. Especially in the case of formal expropriations, this financial reporting requires significant assumptions and estimates concerning the capitalisation of such costs and the obligation to recognise appropriate provisions.
Flughafen Zürich AG has received a total of around 20,000 noise-related claims for compensation, of which slightly more than 5200 were still pending at the end of 2022. Around 560 of these cases are currently being examined by the Swiss Federal Assessments Commission.
The rulings by the Swiss Federal Supreme Court in the first half of 2008 on fundamental issues related to formal expropriations enabled Flughafen Zürich AG to estimate the total cost of compensation for formal expropriations for the first time, in spite of the remaining uncertainties regarding the accuracy of this estimate. In further rulings in 2010, the Swiss Federal Supreme Court definitively set the cut-off date for the foreseeability of an eastern approach as 1 January 1961 and, in 2011, it ruled definitively on the method used to calculate a decline in the market value of investment property. In 2016, the Swiss Federal Supreme Court handed down two rulings in test cases regarding claims for compensation relating to eastern and southern approach routes and, in 2018, it handed down two rulings in test cases regarding cooperative ownership. In November 2019, the Swiss Federal Supreme Court handed down a ruling in test cases regarding the period of limitation on claims for compensation in Oberglatt. Based on these Swiss Federal Supreme Court rulings and other fundamental issues that have been decided, the company undertook a reappraisal of costs for formal expropriations at these dates, which in each case led to an adjustment to both the provision for formal expropriations and the intangible asset from the right of formal expropriation.
As at the reporting date, the estimated costs for formal expropriations remained unchanged at CHF 330.0 million, of which CHF 86.6 million had already been paid out at that date. As at 31 December 2022, a provision was recognised for the outstanding costs of CHF 243.4 million (see note 19, Provision for formal expropriations plus sound insulation and resident protection).
Depending on future legal judgements, including with respect to the southern approaches at Zurich Airport, noise-related liabilities may in future be subject to substantial adjustments, which would also require adjustments to the noise-related costs recognised as assets and liabilities in the balance sheet. At the present time, it is not possible to reliably estimate the total costs to capitalise as an intangible asset from the right of formal expropriation, the resulting amortisation or the corresponding provision.
With respect to sound insulation and resident protection measures, the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) required Flughafen Zürich AG, in connection with its 2014 operating regulations application, to submit an extended sound insulation programme. In June 2015, based on the sound insulation programme submitted, the Board of Directors approved a further CHF 100.0 million of measures in addition to the CHF 240.0 million of costs previously estimated for sound insulation and resident protection. The company is also required to implement sound insulation measures in the area where it claims exemptions from noise limits (emission limit). In this context, the FOCA initiated a night-time noise abatement procedure. The area with exemptions under the Sectoral Aviation Infrastructure Plan adopted by the Federal Council on 23 August 2017 was extended. In this context in mid-2018, Flughafen Zürich AG recognised a provision for further costs of CHF 60.0 million, in addition to the costs previously estimated for sound insulation and resident protection.
As at the reporting date, the estimated costs for sound insulation and resident protection measures remained unchanged at CHF 400.0 million, of which CHF 300.4 million had already been paid out at that date. As at 31 December 2022, a provision was recognised for the outstanding costs of CHF 99.6 million (see note 19, Provision for formal expropriations plus sound insulation and resident protection).
Impairment of assets in accordance with IAS 36
The coronavirus pandemic and its repercussions caused a fall in demand for air travel and the related commercial activities, which also impacted on the Zurich Airport Group. As these circumstances continue to indicate that the carrying amount of assets could be impaired, the company performs an impairment test for its cash-generating units (CGUs) and non-financial assets in accordance with IAS 36.
An impairment exists if the carrying amount of a CGU or a non-financial asset exceeds its recoverable amount (higher of fair value less costs of disposal and value in use).
Value in use is calculated using the discounted cash flow (DCF) method. In doing so, cash flows are derived for the CGU Zurich Airport site from the long-term budget approved for the period to 2032 and in the case of investments in airport operator projects from the budget over the remaining terms (4 to 27 years) of the concession agreements. These budgets and forecasts are based on past experience and expected market trends and take into account the effects of the pandemic. The key assumptions used to determine recoverable amount for the different CGUs and non-financial assets are disclosed and explained in further detail below:
Zurich Airport site
Recoverable amount was determined for the CGU Zurich Airport site as at 31 December 2022 based on a value in use calculation using cash flow forecasts derived from the long-term budget approved for the period to 2032. The post-tax discount rate (WACC) applied to the cash flow forecasts was 5.5% (previous year: 5.5%) and the cash flows were extrapolated beyond the forecast period using a real growth rate of 0.5% (previous year: 0.5%).
Investments in airport operator projects
Recoverable amount was determined for investments in airport operator projects as at 31 December 2022 based on value in use calculations using cash flow forecasts from the financial budgets for the remaining terms of the contractually agreed concessions (4 to 27 years). The country-specific WACC applied to the cash flow forecasts ranged from 9.0% to 10.5% (previous year: 9.0% to 10.3%).
Result
As at 31 December 2022, an impairment loss of CHF 4.3 million was required to be recognised for the airport operator project in Iquique (Chile) as a result of the impairment test on the CGUs and non-financial assets (see note 11, Intangible assets). This impairment loss was recognised through profit or loss in the reporting period. No impairment arose on the other assets.
Accounting treatment of agreements for airport operator projects
In the case of agreements where the airport premises can be used both for the provision of regulated services and for the provision of non-regulated services, management must assess whether IFRIC 12 is applicable. If the unregulated business activities make a significant contribution to revenue, IFRIC 12 does not apply to that agreement. Instead, agreed payments for the use of the airport premises are recognised and measured as leases in accordance with IFRS 16 and revenue from the use of the airport premises is recognised and measured in accordance with IFRS 15. These assessments involve judgements by management.
III Notes to the consolidated financial statements
1 Segment reporting
The following table shows the reportable segments in the current financial year:
(CHF million)
Regulated business
Noise
Non-regulated business
International
Eliminations
Consolidated
2022
Revenue from contract with customers (IFRS 15)
490.9
0.0
157.8
80.6
0.0
729.4
Other revenue (non IFRS 15)
0.2
0.0
294.0
0.0
0.0
294.2
Total revenue from third parties
491.1
0.0
451.8
80.6
0.0
1,023.5
Inter-segment revenue
27.9
0.0
84.6
0.0
–112.5
0.0
Total revenue
519.1
0.0
536.4
80.6
–112.5
1,023.5
Personnel expenses
–76.0
–1.8
–107.6
–11.6
0.0
–196.9
Other operating expenses
–157.3
4.0
–77.2
–40.5
–0.0
–271.1
Inter-segment operating expenses
–83.8
–0.9
–26.7
–1.2
112.5
0.0
Segment result (EBITDA)
202.0
1.4
324.8
27.3
–0.0
555.6
Depreciation and amortisation
–148.4
–3.4
–128.9
–14.6
0.0
–295.3
Segment result (EBIT)
53.6
–2.1
195.9
12.8
–0.0
260.2
Finance result
–20.0
Share of result of associates
–0.0
Income tax expense
–33.3
Consolidated result
207.0
Invested capital as at 31 December 2022
1,971.5
101.4
1,950.1
599.2
4,622.2
Non-interest-bearing non-current liabilities 1)
355.0
Non-interest-bearing current liabilities 2)
238.6
Total assets as at 31 December 2022
5,215.8
ROIC (in %)
2.3
–1.6
8.2
2.1
4.7
Capital expenditure
150.3
0.1
51.2
131.7
333.4
Investments in associates
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
1) Non-interest-bearing non-current liabilities include non-current provisions for formal expropriations plus sound insulation and resident protection, deferred tax liabilities and employee benefit obligations.
2) Non-interest-bearing current liabilities include current provisions for formal expropriations plus sound insulation and resident protection, current tax liabilities, trade payables and other current liabilities plus accruals and deferrals.
In the “International” segment, “Depreciation and amortisation” includes an impairment loss of CHF 4.3 million that arose on investments in international airport operator projects as a result of impairment calculations (see also note 11, Intangible assets).
(CHF million)
Aviation
PRM
User fees
Air security 4)
Access fees 4)
Eliminations
Total regulated business
2022
Revenue from contract with customers (IFRS 15)
297.4
11.2
53.3
128.2
0.9
0.0
490.9
Other revenue (non IFRS 15)
0.2
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.2
Revenue from third parties
297.6
11.2
53.3
128.2
0.9
0.0
491.1
Inter-segment revenue
28.5
0.0
5.8
11.9
2.8
–21.1
27.9
Total revenue
326.2
11.2
59.1
140.1
3.6
–21.1
519.1
Personnel expenses
–62.3
–0.0
–9.9
–2.7
–1.0
0.0
–76.0
Other operating expenses
–39.6
–10.3
–5.4
–58.4
–43.7
0.0
–157.3
Inter-segment operating expenses
–59.4
–1.1
–16.6
–13.9
–13.9
21.1
–83.8
EBITDA
164.9
–0.2
27.2
65.0
–54.9
0.0
202.0
Depreciation and amortisation
–107.7
–0.2
–31.6
–5.7
–3.2
0.0
–148.4
EBIT
57.2
–0.3
–4.4
59.3
–58.1
0.0
53.6
Invested capital as at 31 December 2022
1,343.4
10.8
450.5
138.8
28.0
1,971.5
ROIC (in %)
3.5
–2.8
–0.8
37.7
–183.6
2.3
Operating assets pursuant to Ordinance on Airport Charges (OAC) 3)
1,160.6
3.0
415.8
57.0
20.2
1,656.6
ROIC (in %) pursuant to OAC
4.8
–8.3
–0.9
76.9
–232.4
3.3
3) The Ordinance on Airport Charges (OAC) defines operating assets, on which a reasonable rate of return forms the basis for the charges, as the sum of the “residual cost of the existing assets and net working capital”. This definition therefore results in minor deviations compared with the reported capital employed.
4) In accordance with the OAC, the shortfall in the “Access fees” segment can be charged to the “Air security” segment. Taking the shortfall into account, the ROIC pursuant to the OAC for the “Air security” segment amounts to 1.2%.
The following table shows the reportable segments in the previous year:
(CHF million)
Regulated business
Noise
Non-regulated business
International
Eliminations
Consolidated
2021
Revenue from contract with customers (IFRS 15)
240.4
0.0
109.0
55.4
0.0
404.8
Other revenue (non IFRS 15)
0.2
0.0
275.0
0.0
0.0
275.2
Total revenue from third parties
240.6
0.0
384.0
55.4
0.0
680.0
Inter-segment revenue
22.8
0.0
66.8
0.0
–89.6
0.0
Total revenue
263.4
0.0
450.8
55.4
–89.6
680.0
Personnel expenses
–61.2
–1.7
–97.9
–10.5
0.0
–171.3
Other operating expenses
–128.6
–0.9
–52.7
–27.3
0.0
–209.5
Inter-segment operating expenses
–70.2
–0.8
–18.6
0.0
89.6
0.0
Segment result (EBITDA)
3.5
–3.3
281.5
17.6
0.0
299.2
Depreciation and amortisation
–144.7
–3.6
–124.2
–7.6
0.0
–280.2
Segment result (EBIT)
–141.2
–6.9
157.3
9.9
0.0
19.1
Finance result
–29.1
Share of result of associates
–3.7
Income tax expense
3.6
Consolidated result
–10.1
Invested capital as at 31 December 2021
1,869.6
110.3
1,937.2
384.9
4,302.0
Non-interest-bearing non-current liabilities 1)
449.5
Non-interest-bearing current liabilities 2)
211.7
Total assets as at 31 December 2021
4,963.2
ROIC (in %)
–6.1
–4.9
6.6
2.2
0.4
Capital expenditure
84.2
0.0
97.3
38.1
219.6
Investments in associates
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
1) Non-interest-bearing non-current liabilities include non-current provisions for formal expropriations plus sound insulation and resident protection, deferred tax liabilities and employee benefit obligations.
2) Non-interest-bearing current liabilities include current provisions for formal expropriations plus sound insulation and resident protection, current tax liabilities, trade payables and other current liabilities plus accruals and deferrals.
(CHF million)
Aviation
PRM
User fees
Air security 4)
Access fees 4)
Eliminations
Total regulated business
2021
Revenue from contract with customers (IFRS 15)
149.4
4.6
31.4
54.4
0.6
0.0
240.4
Other revenue (non IFRS 15)
0.2
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.2
Revenue from third parties
149.6
4.6
31.4
54.4
0.6
0.0
240.6
Inter-segment revenue
21.3
0.0
4.6
9.0
2.5
–14.6
22.8
Total revenue
170.9
4.6
36.1
63.4
3.1
–14.6
263.4
Personnel expenses
–51.7
0.0
–6.7
–2.1
–0.7
0.0
–61.2
Other operating expenses
–35.3
–7.1
–4.0
–40.2
–42.0
0.0
–128.6
Inter-segment operating expenses
–50.8
–0.8
–12.7
–8.4
–12.0
14.6
–70.2
EBITDA
33.0
–3.2
12.7
12.6
–51.7
0.0
3.5
Depreciation and amortisation
–105.4
–0.2
–29.1
–6.8
–3.3
0.0
–144.7
EBIT
–72.4
–3.4
–16.4
5.8
–54.9
0.0
–141.2
Invested capital as at 31 December 2021
1,315.2
7.9
407.0
116.2
23.3
1,869.6
ROIC (in %)
–4.4
-36.8
–3.4
4.1
–195.0
–6.1
Operating assets pursuant to Ordinance on Airport Charges (OAC) 3)
1,210.3
3.4
387.1
67.9
20.3
1,689.0
ROIC (in %) pursuant to OAC
–4.6
–87.7
–3.5
7.0
–206.9
–6.6
3) The Ordinance on Airport Charges (OAC) defines operating assets, on which a reasonable rate of return forms the basis for the charges, as the sum of the “residual cost of the existing assets and net working capital”. This definition therefore results in minor deviations compared with the reported capital employed.
4) In accordance with the OAC, the shortfall in the “Access fees” segment can be charged to the “Air security” segment. Taking the shortfall into account, the ROIC pursuant to the OAC for the “Air security” segment amounts to -44.5%.
Internal reporting of operating segments to the chief operating decision-maker is carried out in accordance with the Swiss Ordinance on Airport Charges (OAC), more specifically with regard to the regulated charges and fees affected by the Ordinance. The following segments are presented for the regulated business and submitted to the chief operating decision-maker as the basis for his significant judgements and decisions:
- “Aviation” segment
- “PRM” segment
- “User fees” segment
- “Air security” segment
- “Access fees” segment
The “Regulated business” column presented in the segment reporting tables is not a separate segment in accordance with IFRS 8; for presentation reasons, it merely combines the reportable segments in which charges and fees are regulated by the OAC (excluding the “Noise” segment).
In all, the Zurich Airport Group therefore has the following reportable segments:
→ Aviation
The “Aviation” segment comprises the original infrastructure and services related to flight operations. It incorporates all the core services provided to airlines and passengers by Flughafen Zürich AG in its capacity as operator of Zurich Airport. These services include the runway system, most apron zones (including control activities), passenger zones in the terminals, freight operations, passenger handling and services, and safety. The main sources of revenue for the “Aviation” segment are passenger and landing charges. Revenue from third parties is determined by passenger volumes, flight volumes and the trend with respect to aircraft take-off weights.
→ PRM
The “PRM” (Passengers with Reduced Mobility) segment combines the infrastructure and services related to implementing the regulation regarding the provision of support for passengers with reduced mobility. Revenue consists exclusively of the PRM charge.
→ User fees
The “User fees” segment comprises the central infrastructure, in particular the check-in areas and facilities, baggage sorting and handling system, aircraft power supply system, handling apron areas and the related services and fees.
→ Air security
The “Air security” segment comprises the equipment and services that Flughafen Zürich AG is responsible for providing for air security (passenger and aircraft security measures). This includes all systems and their operation and maintenance designed to prevent actions of any kind that affect the security of commercial civil aviation, in particular facilities for checks on passengers, hand luggage, checked baggage and freight. The security charges levied per passenger are the main source of revenue for covering the costs of the “Air security” segment.
→ Access fees
The “Access fees” segment comprises the air security-related equipment and services that have to be provided in order to allow all persons other than passengers to access the airside areas. This includes all relevant systems and their operation and maintenance. It also includes airport policing duties such as surveillance patrols and other security-related duties. Revenue in the “Access fees” segment comes mainly from the fees for issuing airport badges.
→ Noise
Since 1 January 2021, revenue from aircraft noise charges has been allocated to the “Aviation” segment as, according to current knowledge, the Airport Zurich Noise Fund (AZNF) has sufficient resources to cover the known costs for sound insulation, resident protection and formal expropriations. The related expenses continue to be presented separately in the “Noise” segment. A liquidity-based statement of all noise-related data is presented in the notes to the consolidated financial statements (see note 20, Airport Zurich Noise Fund). This statement presents the accumulated surplus or shortfall as at the reporting date arising from noise charges determined on a costs-by-cause basis, less expenses for formal expropriations, sound insulation and resident protection measures, and operating costs.
→ Non-regulated business
The “Non-regulated business” segment encompasses all activities relating to the development, marketing and operation of the commercial infrastructure at Zurich Airport. This includes all retail and restaurant/catering operations at the airport, revenue from rented premises and supplementary costs (energy supply, etc.), parking charges plus a broad range of commercial services provided by Flughafen Zürich AG.
→ International
The “International” segment comprises the income and expenses of the subsidiaries and equity investments in the Zurich Airport Group’s international operations. This includes the income and expenses of the consolidated concessionaires in India, Brazil and Chile from the operation of the relevant airport infrastructure and income from consulting services. This segment also captures income and expenses from construction projects as part of concession agreements that are accounted for in accordance with IFRIC 12.
Principles of segment reporting
For internal reporting purposes, each profit center has been allocated to a segment. Any internal supplies and services that have been provided to other segments have been booked as inter-segment revenue or offset against costs. For example, the “Supplementary costs” profit center is allocated to Non-regulated business and proportionate costs are charged to the Regulated business segments on a costs-by-cause basis. Support functions are also allocated to Non-regulated business and charged on accordingly.
Invested capital is allocated to the individual operating segments based, firstly, on the allocation of the individual assets in the fixed-asset ledger and, secondly, on the pro rata allocation of the remaining assets (buildings, engineering structures and net working capital) to the respective segments. Until projects in progress have been completed, they are allocated to the segment with the largest share of the project measured by value. The definitive allocation to segments takes place after the projects have been classified into the relevant asset categories.
The identified operating segments have not been aggregated.
Additional disclosures in accordance with the Swiss Ordinance on Airport Charges (OAC)
In accordance with Art. 34 OAC, 30% of the economic added value in the airside area of Zurich Airport not relevant to flight operations and in road vehicle parking is to be used in the form of a transfer payment to finance the costs in the “Aviation” segment. Pursuant to this rule, in financial year 2022, an amount of CHF 13.8 million (previous year: CHF 1.3 million) was allocated to the “Aviation” segment and is reflected in the reported return on operating assets. Moreover, in accordance with Art. 45 OAC, the shortfall in the “Access fees” segment can be charged to the “Air security” segment.
Revenue from security charges is allocated in full to the “Security” segment and revenue from PRM charges to the “PRM” segment. All other flight operations charges are allocated to the “Aviation” segment. A breakdown of revenue by charge type can be found in note 2, Revenue.
Additional disclosures
The Zurich Airport Group primarily provides services within Switzerland. In financial year 2022, consulting services totalling CHF 2.5 million (previous year: CHF 5.4 million) were provided abroad, more specifically in Brazil and Chile.
Flughafen Zürich AG’s revenue with Lufthansa Group in the reportable segments amounted to CHF 339.3 million in the past financial year (previous year: CHF 177.2 million).
2 Revenue
(CHF million)
2022
2021
Passenger charges
181.7
77.9
Security charges
126.5
53.5
PRM charges
11.2
4.6
Passenger-related flight operations charges
319.4
136.0
Landing charges
65.5
35.2
Aircraft-related noise charges
12.1
6.5
Emission charges
3.0
1.8
Aircraft parking charges
25.0
18.9
Freight charges
7.5
6.8
Other flight operations charges
113.1
69.2
Total flight operations charges
432.5
205.2
Baggage sorting and handling system
35.1
18.9
De-icing
6.9
5.1
Check-in
4.0
2.3
Aircraft energy supply system
4.1
2.8
Other fees
3.9
3.2
Total aviation fees
54.1
32.3
Refund of security costs
1.7
0.8
Other revenue
2.9
2.3
Total other aviation revenue
4.5
3.1
Total aviation revenue
491.1
240.6
Retail, tax & duty-free
108.5
107.4
Food & beverage
21.6
13.3
Advertising media and promotion
17.7
16.2
Revenue from car parks
76.3
51.4
Other commercial revenue
15.9
10.9
Total commercial and parking revenue
239.9
199.2
Revenue from rental agreements
128.1
123.6
Energy and utility cost allocation
34.8
23.5
Cleaning
2.4
2.3
Other real estate revenue
3.0
3.6
Total real estate revenue
168.3
153.0
Communication services
14.9
14.1
Fuel charges
6.3
3.6
Catering
1.4
0.6
Other revenue from services
20.9
13.5
Total revenue from services
43.5
31.8
Revenue from international airport concessions
61.2
39.3
Revenue from consulting activities
2.5
5.4
Revenue from construction projects as part of concession arrangements
16.9
10.7
Total revenue from international business
80.6
55.4
Total non-aviation revenue
532.4
439.4
Total revenue
1,023.5
680.0
The rent concessions granted in connection with the coronavirus pandemic (rent waivers and contractual amendments such as staggered rents or lease term extensions) were recognised as assets in accordance with IFRS 16 and are being amortised on a straight-line basis over the remaining term of the relevant contracts. This reduced revenue by CHF 4.7 million in the reporting period (previous year: increased revenue by CHF 29.3 million).
Presentation of revenue from contracts with customers (IFRS 15):
(CHF million)
2022
2021
Flight operations charges
432.5
205.2
Aviation charges
54.1
32.3
Other aviation revenue
4.3
2.9
Total aviation revenue from contracts with customers (IFRS 15)
490.9
240.4
Aviation revenue (non IFRS 15)
0.2
0.2
Total aviation revenue
491.1
240.6
Commercial and parking revenue
75.9
49.5
Real estate revenue
39.7
28.7
Revenue from services
42.2
30.8
Revenue from international activities
80.6
55.4
Total non-aviation revenue from contracts with customers (IFRS 15)
238.4
164.4
Non-aviation revenue (non IFRS 15)
294.0
275.0
Total non-aviation revenue
532.4
439.4
Total revenue
1,023.5
680.0
3 Personnel expenses
(CHF million)
2022
2021
Wages and salaries
150.5
125.2
Pension costs for defined benefit plans 1)
19.7
23.6
Social security contributions
14.1
14.1
Other personnel expenses and employee benefits
12.7
8.4
Total personnel expenses
196.9
171.3
Average number of employees (full-time equivalents) 2)
1,790
1,708
Number of employees as at reporting date (full-time equivalents) 2)
1,886
1,694
Personnel expense per full-time equivalents as at 31 December (in CHF)
104,369
101,092
1) See note 22, Employee benefits
2) Excluding apprentices and trainees
In the past financial year, short-time working compensation of CHF 12.0 million (previous year: CHF 29.5 million) was offset against personnel expenses (wages and salaries).
Staff participation programme
Employees of Flughafen Zürich AG who have completed their first year of service receive one share free of charge as a one-off payment in kind. In financial year 2022, 54 shares (previous year: 82 shares) worth CHF 8645 (previous year: CHF 13,024) were handed out.
Variable remuneration for members of the Management Board and other members of management
The total annual remuneration awarded to members of the Management Board and other members of management comprises a fixed salary and a variable remuneration component, which is based on the consolidated result. EBIT according to the budget (excluding the influence of aircraft noise) has been adopted as the target. The decision relating to the degree of achievement of the relevant target is taken in the following financial year (grant date). Two thirds of the variable remuneration is paid out to the members of the Management Board and members of the most senior management in cash and one third is paid out in shares.
The equity-settled portion of the bonus for financial year 2022 is calculated and accounted for on the basis of the data available as at the reporting date regarding the degree of achievement of the consolidated result.
2022
2021
2021 1)
Price per share 1)
(Recipient)
(CHF)
(CHF)
(Number of shares)
(CHF)
Members of the Management Board
502,138
360,698
2,130
169.00
Other members of management
831,048
598,365
3,543
169.00
Adjustment of variable remuneration accrued in the previous year 2)
–326
–12,357
Total
1,332,860
946,706
5,673
1) Shares distributed in the 2022 financial year under the variable remuneration programme for the Management Board and other members of management (number and price per share) for the 2021 financial year.
2) In the subsequent period, the accrued variable remuneration is adjusted through personnel expenses on the basis of the actual degree of achievement of the relevant profit figure.
The number of shares to be granted cannot yet be established precisely at the reporting date, as that number is determined based on the quoted price as at the payment date (April 2023). If the shares had been granted as at year-end, a total of 9,316 shares would have been distributed.
Remuneration of the Board of Directors
The remuneration awarded to the Board of Directors comprises an annual lump sum plus payments for attending meetings.
Option programme
No option programme exists at the Zurich Airport Group.
4 Other operating expenses
(CHF million)
2022
2021
Zurich Protection & Rescue Services
21.5
22.0
PRM costs (service costs of service providers)
10.3
7.1
Other operating costs
3.5
3.8
Insurance
4.7
4.5
Cleaning by external contractors, incl. snow clearing
4.4
3.7
Costs for own car park
3.2
1.9
Communication costs
1.7
1.4
Passenger services
0.8
0.7
Total other operating expenses
50.1
45.2
5 Other income and expenses
(CHF million)
2022
2021
Capitalised expenditure
13.0
10.8
Other income
8.0
7.0
Capitalised expenditure and other income
21.0
17.8
Expenses for construction projects as part of concession arrangements
–16.8
–10.6
Expenses for construction projects as part of concession arrangements
–16.8
–10.6
Other expenses
–3.6
–2.7
Other expenses
–3.6
–2.7
Capitalised expenditure of CHF 13.0 million (previous year: CHF 10.8 million) consists mainly of fees for the company’s architects and engineers as well as for project managers representing the client. In the reporting period, other income included CHF 7.4 million (previous year: CHF 0.0 million) resulting from the adjustment of the discount rate used to calculate the present value of provisions for sound insulation and resident protection. In the previous year, this line item consisted primarily of compensation payments of CHF 5.0 million for projects written down in the past.
The expenses of CHF –16.8 million (previous year: CHF –10.6 million) for construction projects as part of concession agreements are the result of investments in airport infrastructure in Brazil and Chile. The corresponding counter-item can be found under note 2, Revenue.
As in the previous year, the items recognised in other expenses in the reporting period primarily included losses on asset disposals and losses on receivables.
6 Finance result
(CHF million)
2022
2021
Net interest expenses on debentures and non-current loans
–11.3
–10.8
Net interest expenses on defined benefit obligations
–0.2
–0.3
Interest expenses on finance lease liabilities
–0.1
0.0
Other interest expenses
–10.9
–12.9
Adjustments to fair value on financial assets of Airport Zurich Noise Fund
–11.8
0.0
Present value adjustment on provision for formal expropriations plus sound insulation and resident protection
–0.8
0.0
Present value adjustment on liabilities from concession arrangements
–1.0
–4.9
Foreign exchange losses
–0.8
–1.1
Other finance costs
–5.2
–2.0
Total finance costs
–42.2
–32.1
Interest income on financial assets of Airport Zurich Noise Fund
0.6
0.5
Adjustments to fair value on financial assets of Airport Zurich Noise Fund
0.0
2.0
Other interest income
4.9
0.4
Other finance income
16.7
0.1
Total finance income
22.2
3.0
Finance result
–20.0
–29.1
Due to the deflationary environment in Brazil in the second half of the year, both other interest expenses and expenses for the present value adjustment on liabilities from concession agreements were down year on year. Conversely, after the income generated in the previous year, negative fair value changes at the Airport Zurich Noise Fund resulted in additional expenses.
Other finance income consisted mainly of two one-time items: the repurchase of own debentures and the prepayment of the future fixed concession payments in Florianópolis resulted in gains of CHF 8.4 million and CHF 8.0 million, respectively (see note 18, Financial liabilities).
7 Income tax
(CHF million)
2022
2021
Taxes for current year
–21.3
–0.7
Taxes for prior years
0.7
–2.1
Total current income tax
–20.7
–2.8
Deferred income tax on changes in temporary differences
–12.6
2.2
Change in tax rate
0.0
4.2
Total deferred income tax
–12.6
6.4
Total income tax
–33.3
3.6
Income tax can be analysed as follows:
(CHF million)
2022
2021
Result before tax
240.3
–13.7
Income tax based on the statutory tax rate of 19.0% applicable at the parent company (2021: 19.0%)
–45.7
2.6
Effect of application of different income tax rates in foreign countries
–2.8
1.0
Prior-period adjustments
0.7
–2.1
Effect of tax rate changes on deferred taxes
0.0
4.2
Effect of share of results of associates
–0.2
0.0
Effect of solely tax-deductible income and expenses
–0.5
0.0
Current-year losses for which no deferred tax assets were recognised
0.0
–2.0
Recognition of tax effects of previously unrecognised tax losses
14.2
0.0
Tax incentives
1.1
0.0
Foreign exchange differences
0.0
–0.1
Miscellaneous items
–0.1
0.0
Total income tax
–33.3
3.6
In the reporting period, a positive effect of CHF 14.2 million was recognised in connection with the restructuring of the subsidiary Zurich Airport International AG. This effect is attributable to the recognition of previously unrecognised tax loss carryforwards.
8 Property, plant and equipment
(CHF million)
Land
Engineering structures
Buildings
Movables
Projects in progress
Total
Cost
Balance as at 1 January 2021
138.1
1,684.1
4,703.2
280.5
390.3
7,196.2
Additions
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
141.6
141.6
Disposals
0.0
–3.2
–124.1
–15.3
0.0
–142.6
Transfer and reclassification
0.0
23.2
220.2
15.0
–263.4
–5.0
Foreign exchange differences
0.0
0.0
–0.1
–0.2
0.0
–0.3
Balance as at 31 December 2021
138.1
1,704.1
4,799.2
280.0
268.5
7,189.9
Balance as at 1 January 2022
138.1
1,704.1
4,799.2
280.0
268.5
7,189.9
Additions
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
200.6
200.6
Disposals
0.0
–45.7
–17.0
–12.4
0.0
–75.1
Transfer and reclassification
0.0
103.7
64.0
11.4
–183.9
–4.8
Foreign exchange differences
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
–3.4
–3.4
Balance as at 31 December 2022
138.1
1,762.1
4,846.2
279.0
281.8
7,307.2
Depreciation and impairment
Balance as at 1 January 2021
0.0
–978.4
–3,165.8
–197.8
0.0
–4,342.0
Depreciation
0.0
–60.1
–155.1
–17.3
0.0
–232.5
Disposals
0.0
3.2
123.6
15.3
0.0
142.1
Foreign exchange differences
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.1
0.0
0.1
Balance as at 31 December 2021
0.0
–1,035.3
–3,197.3
–199.7
0.0
–4,432.3
Balance as at 1 January 2022
0.0
–1,035.3
–3,197.3
–199.7
0.0
–4,432.3
Depreciation
0.0
–64.1
–153.5
–17.2
0.0
–234.8
Disposals
0.0
45.0
16.1
12.3
0.0
73.4
Foreign exchange differences
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Balance as at 31 December 2022
0.0
–1,054.4
–3,334.7
–204.6
0.0
–4,593.7
Government subsidies and grants
Balance as at 1 January 2021
0.0
–8.5
–3.4
0.0
–0.3
–12.2
Additions
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
–0.7
–0.7
Disposals
0.0
0.8
0.3
0.0
0.0
1.1
Transfers
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Balance as at 31 December 2021
0.0
–7.7
–3.1
0.0
–1.0
–11.8
Balance as at 1 January 2022
0.0
–7.7
–3.1
0.0
–1.0
–11.8
Additions
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
–0.9
–0.9
Disposals
0.0
0.8
0.2
0.0
0.0
1.0
Transfers
0.0
–0.5
–0.8
–0.3
1.6
0.0
Balance as at 31 December 2022
0.0
–7.4
–3.7
–0.3
–0.3
–11.7
Net carrying amount as at 31 December 2021
138.1
661.1
1,598.8
80.3
267.5
2,745.8
Net carrying amount as at 31 December 2022
138.1
700.3
1,507.8
74.1
281.5
2,701.8
Projects in progress
In the past financial year, the Zurich Airport Group invested a total of CHF 200.6 million in projects in progress (previous year: CHF 141.6 million). The largest investments at Zurich Airport are attributable to the following projects:
- Expansion and refurbishment of the baggage sorting system (CHF 56.4 million)
- Renovation of runway 10/28 (CHF 32.3 million)
- Development of the landside passenger zones (CHF 11.1 million)
In the reporting period, capitalised development, planning and implementation costs relating to the construction and operation of Noida International Airport in New Delhi, India amounted to CHF 25.3 million (previous year: CHF 21.7 million). This amount includes the capitalised ongoing depreciation charges on the right-of-use asset relating to the land on which the airport is being built (see note 9, Right-of-use assets) and any interest expenses incurred on the corresponding lease liabilities (see note 18, Financial liabilities).
Depreciation
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment totalling CHF –234.8 million was offset against government grants and subsidies recognised in the income statement in the amount of CHF 1.0 million.
Impairment
As in previous years, an impairment test was performed for items of property, plant and equipment due to the coronavirus pandemic and its effects (see Impairment of assets in accordance with IAS 36).
9 Right-of-use assets
The Zurich Airport Group as lessee
(CHF million)
Land
Real estate
Movables
Total right-of-use assets
Cost
Balance as at 1 January 2021
0.0
92.9
0.0
92.9
Additions
0.0
0.5
0.0
0.5
Transfer and reclassification
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Balance as at 31 December 2021
0.0
93.4
0.0
93.4
Balance as at 1 January 2022
0.0
93.4
0.0
93.4
Additions
83.5
13.4
0.0
96.9
Transfer and reclassification
0.0
–0.5
0.5
0.0
Foreign exchange differences
–7.2
0.0
0.0
–7.2
Balance as at 31 December 2022
76.3
106.3
0.5
183.1
Depreciation and impairment
Balance as at 1 January 2021
0.0
–12.2
0.0
–12.2
Depreciation
0.0
–7.3
0.0
–7.3
Transfer and reclassification
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Balance as at 31 December 2021
0.0
–19.5
0.0
–19.5
Balance as at 1 January 2022
0.0
–19.5
0.0
–19.5
Depreciation
0.0
–8.7
–0.1
–8.8
Transfer and reclassification
–2.6
0.0
0.0
–2.6
Foreign exchange differences
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Balance as at 31 December 2022
–2.6
–28.2
–0.1
–30.9
Net carrying amount as at 31 December 2021
0.0
73.9
0.0
73.9
Net carrying amount as at 31 December 2022
73.7
78.1
0.4
152.2
Land
Via its operator Yamuna International Airport Private Limited, Flughafen Zürich AG holds the right-of-use asset relating to the land on which Noida International Airport, New Delhi, India will be built and operated in future. The right-of-use asset was recognised as an asset and a liability (see note 18, Financial liabilities) at the present value of the future lease payments (interest rate: 9.0%) of CHF 83.5 million and will expire at the end of the concession in 2061. The depreciation charges arising on the right-of-use asset in this context up until the date in 2024 when the airport is brought into use and any interest expenses incurred on the corresponding lease liabilities (see note 18, Financial liabilities) are capitalised as projects in progress (see note 8, Property, plant and equipment).
Real estate
The Zurich Airport Group has a right-of-use asset entitling it to use space in a building that is located on Flughafen Zürich AG’s land and was constructed under a granted building right from 2005. Although its right to use the space ends on 31 January 2080, the Zurich Airport Group has termination options, which have been taken into account. The undiscounted potential future lease payments for periods after the exercise date of the termination options that are not included in the lease term amounted to CHF 91.2 million as at 31 December 2022 (previous year: CHF 91.2 million).
In financial year 2020, following the completion of the real estate project the Circle, Flughafen Zürich AG moved into new office premises for which the company signed a 20-year lease with the co-ownership structure the Circle. Taking into account the extension option, the lease ends in October 2039. The company has also signed a management agreement with the co-ownership structure for the parking area in the Circle. Disregarding the extension option, this ends in 2031.
In addition, the Zurich Airport Group leases further space that is subleased as car parking space. The average period of use is five years.
The following table shows the carrying amounts of the lease liabilities and the changes during the reporting period:
(CHF million)
2022
2021
Balance as at 1 January
–76.3
–83.3
Additions
–96.9
–0.5
Payments
8.9
7.5
Interest expense on lease liabilities
–9.6
0.0
Foreign exchange differences
8.3
0.0
Balance as at 31 December
–165.6
–76.3
of which current (payment within 1 year)
–9.1
–7.5
of which non-current (payment from 1 year on)
–156.5
–68.8
A detailed overview of the maturities of the lease liabilities can be found in note 18, Financial liabilities.
In the reporting period, the following amounts were recognised in profit or loss in connection with leases:
(CHF million)
2022
2021
Depreciation charges for right-of-use assets
–8.8
–7.3
Interest expense on lease liabilities
–0.1
0.0
Expense relating to short-term leases
–0.1
–0.1
Total amount recognised for leases in profit or loss
–9.0
–7.4
The total cash outflow for leases amounted to CHF 9.0 million in the reporting period (previous year: CHF 7.4 million). Future cash outflows for leases not yet commenced as at the reporting date amount to CHF 0.0 million (previous year: CHF 13.8 million).
The Zurich Airport Group as lessor
The tenancy agreements entered into by the Zurich Airport Group as lessor may be either fixed tenancy agreements or commercial leases:
Fixed tenancy agreements
Fixed tenancy agreements comprise in particular agreements for office, warehouse, archive and workshop premises. They are divided into limited-term and indefinite agreements, with the latter usually being subject to either six or twelve months’ notice to be communicated in advance.
Commercial leases
Commercial leases consist primarily of leases of commercial space. These agreements between the parties generally comprise guaranteed basic rents plus turnover-based portions with a fixed term of five years and no other options. Moreover, some agreements involving basic rents and turnover-based portions exist as a function of passenger trends or prior-year sales.
Commercial revenue (retail, tax & duty free plus food & beverage) and real estate revenue (revenue from rental agreements) contained conditional rental payments amounting to CHF 11.5 million (previous year: CHF 6.1 million).
At the reporting date, minimum lease payments (fixed rents and guaranteed basic rents) under non-cancellable leases were as follows:
(CHF million)
31.12.2022
31.12.2021
Due date up to 1 year
269.3
239.5
Due date from 1 to 5 years
826.7
800.7
Due date in more than 5 years
373.8
377.0
Total
1,469.8
1,417.2
10 Investment property
(CHF million)
Land
Project costs
Buildings and engineering structures plus movables
Total investment property
Cost
Balance as at 1 January 2021
1.0
176.2
395.2
572.4
Additions
0.0
61.8
0.0
61.8
Disposals
0.0
0.0
–0.7
–0.7
Transfer
0.0
–237.4
237.4
0.0
Balance as at 31 December 2021
1.0
0.6
631.9
633.5
Balance as at 1 January 2022
1.0
0.6
631.9
633.5
Additions
0.0
12.6
0.0
12.6
Disposals
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Transfer
0.0
–12.5
12.5
0.0
Balance as at 31 December 2022
1.0
0.7
644.4
646.1
Depreciation and impairment
Balance as at 1 January 2021
0.0
0.0
–5.5
–5.5
Depreciation
0.0
0.0
–22.8
–22.8
Disposals
0.0
0.0
0.7
0.7
Balance as at 31 December 2021
0.0
0.0
–27.6
–27.6
Balance as at 1 January 2022
0.0
0.0
–27.6
–27.6
Depreciation
0.0
0.0
–26.9
–26.9
Disposals
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Balance as at 31 December 2022
0.0
0.0
–54.5
–54.5
Net carrying amount as at 31 December 2021
1.0
0.6
604.3
605.9
Net carrying amount as at 31 December 2022
1.0
0.7
589.9
591.6
The Circle
In 2015, Flughafen Zürich AG and Swiss Life AG notarised the purchase agreement for the share of land for the Circle and registered it for entry in the Land Register, thereby establishing the Circle co-ownership structure between the two parties provided for in the financing agreements, in which Flughafen Zürich AG has a 51% interest and Swiss Life AG a 49% interest.
Based on the nature of the contractual arrangement, the co-ownership structure the Circle is classified as a joint operation in accordance with IFRS 11. The share of the rights to the assets and the share of the obligations for the liabilities of the co-ownership structure are therefore recognised and presented in the relevant line items in the consolidated financial statements of the Zurich Airport Group.
The share of the property is classified as investment property in accordance with IAS 40. In this context, the Zurich Airport Group has decided to apply the cost model.
The Circle was opened in November 2020 even though not all of the construction work had been completed. In the course of 2021, the handover of the space to the lessees was largely completed, enabling most of the share of the project costs to be billed and allocated to the relevant categories of investment property.
The share of the fair value of the Circle was CHF 794.1 million at the reporting date (previous year: CHF 759.9 million). The value was determined by an external expert using the discounted cash flow method (level 3) and taking into account the highest and best use. Under this method, the fair value is determined on the basis of the total expected future net income (before tax, interest payments, depreciation and amortisation) discounted to the present date. A risk-adjusted discount rate is set depending on the risks and rewards and in line with market rates.
11 Intangible assets
(CHF million)
Investments in airport operator projects
Intangible asset from right of formal expropriation
Other intangible assets
Total intangible assets
Cost
Balance as at 1 January 2021
299.6
134.0
77.1
510.6
Additions
16.2
0.0
0.1
16.3
Disposals
–0.9
0.0
–3.8
–4.7
Transfer and reclassification
–4.6
0.0
9.6
5.0
Foreign exchange differences
–22.1
0.0
0.0
–22.1
Balance as at 31 December 2021
288.2
134.0
83.0
505.1
Balance as at 1 January 2022
288.2
134.0
83.0
505.1
Additions
22.5
0.0
0.0
22.5
Disposals
–1.1
–17.7
–5.1
–23.9
Transfer and reclassification
0.0
0.0
4.8
4.8
Foreign exchange differences
14.6
0.0
0.0
14.6
Balance as at 31 December 2022
324.2
116.3
82.7
523.1
Amortisation and impairment
Balance as at 1 January 2021
–17.4
–65.4
–59.7
–142.6
Amortisation
–7.2
–2.3
–9.2
–18.7
Disposals
0.2
0.0
3.8
4.0
Foreign exchange differences
4.9
0.0
0.0
4.9