Equality of opportunity and freedom from discrimination

The Zurich Airport Group is committed to non-discriminatory treatment of all people, irrespective of attributes such as language, gender or gender identity, age, sexual orientation, ethnic origin or religion.

Relevance

A wide variety of people come together at airports. In order to provide everyone the high-quality services of Zurich Airport Ltd. in a peaceful atmosphere, respectful interactions are essential. The company offers equal opportunities and does not tolerate any kind of discrimination. This fundamental attitude applies in particular to interactions with the company’s own employees and is enshrined in the Code of Conduct, which applies Group-wide. However, the same also applies to everyone with whom the company’s employees are in direct contact.

Approach

Employees

Zurich Airport Ltd. offers all employees the same rights and opportunities. It promotes constructive and respectful cooperation, a culture of trust and openness, and a willingness to adapt. Everyone is treated equally regardless of gender or gender identity. This applies in particular to maternity and paternity leave, pay, part-time working, flexible working time models, and training and professional development.

Guidelines apply for dealing with discrimination in the form of sexual harassment. These set out what action an affected individual can take and where support is available. More information concerning employees can be found in the Responsible employer section.

The principle of respectful and non-discriminatory behaviour is also stipulated in similar documents at the company’s airports in Brazil, Chile and India, where it likewise applies to all employees. In Brazil, the applicable Code of Ethics and Conduct additionally defines inclusion and diversity as important values. Awareness-raising work continued with various events and a training programme for line managers. In Chile, this includes the Code of Conduct as well as the guidelines for inclusion at work. In the case of the latter, employees who have undergone additional training are deployed as ambassadors within the company. In Noida, India, the HR Policy Manual sets out requirements that include ethical behaviour and the prevention of sexual harassment in particular.

Customers

All European airports including Zurich Airport are obliged to provide assistance free of charge to people with reduced mobility or other disabilities (PRM). The relevant EU regulation, which also applies in Switzerland, applies to people with any kind of reduced mobility, blind and visually or hearing-impaired people, as well as anyone with a cognitive impairment. This service at Zurich Airport is funded by means of a solidarity levy included in the passenger-related flight operation charges.

In addition, ground handling firms also provide other support services. Unaccompanied minors or people in need of medical care are provided with a secure escort to and from the gate at Zurich Airport. The issuance of Sunflower Lanyards was introduced in the reporting year. This allows people with invisible impairments to voluntarily signal that they may need support or more time.

All the public zones of Zurich Airport have barrier-free access. This also applies to the new buildings in Latin America and India, which are obliged to take the needs of people with reduced mobility into account. With their “Airport for All” programme, the Brazilian majority-owned subsidiaries are also aiming to make airports easily accessible to anyone with an invisible disability. The programme includes communication, organisational and structural measures, such as the provision of a multi-sensory room for people on the autism spectrum or with other special needs at the Florianópolis, Vitória and Natal airports.