A new study confirms Geneva Airport’s major role in the regional economy. In 2024, activities linked to the airport generated some 3.3 billion francs in added value and supported 21,930 full-time equivalent jobs. The study also highlights the crucial importance of air connectivity for businesses, tourism and ‘International Geneva’.
Geneva Airport has published a new study focusing on the economic impact of its airport. Carried out by the independent institute INFRAS in Zurich using recent data, it measures the direct, indirect and induced effects of airport activities on Geneva, neighbouring regions – including France – and the rest of Switzerland.
The results show that activities linked to Geneva Airport generate a total added value of some CHF 3.3 billion and support nearly 21,930 full-time equivalent jobs.
The direct effects – that is, the value created by the approximately 268 businesses operating at the airport – account for around CHF 1.66 billion in added value and 11,500 jobs (equivalent to 9,800 full-time equivalent jobs) on their own. This represents 2.6 per cent of the canton of Geneva’s GDP. Added to these are the indirect effects linked to purchases from suppliers, as well as consumer spending made possible by the wages generated on the platform.
Economic benefits that extend far beyond the airport
Nearly CHF 2 billion in value added benefits the canton of Geneva. However, the economic benefits extend well beyond the canton’s borders: they amount to more than CHF 550 million in the neighbouring French region and around CHF 770 million in the rest of Switzerland.
These figures illustrate Geneva Airport’s close integration into a cross-border catchment area for living and business. The airport directly benefits businesses, suppliers, retail, the hotel sector, the catering industry and many other sectors. “This study shows that Geneva Airport is much more than just a transport infrastructure. It is a strategic asset for Geneva and its region, a driver of economic activity and employment, but also a vital gateway for a region that is deeply open to the world. Our responsibility is to preserve this connectivity, whilst resolutely continuing to reduce the airport’s environmental impact,” emphasises Jean-François de Saussure, CEO of Geneva Airport.
Geneva Airport is also a powerful catalyst for the local economy. The airport’s activities support a vast network of local businesses – suppliers, tradespeople, retailers and service providers – a significant proportion of whose business and jobs depend directly or indirectly on the airport. The value created is therefore not confined to the airport itself: it spreads throughout the Geneva and regional economies, strengthens local value chains and supports jobs that cannot be relocated.
Infrastructure that boosts the region’s appeal
In 2025, Geneva Airport welcomed 17.8 million passengers and provided direct connections from the region to 147 destinations, including more than 30 outside Europe. The airport handled 96,000 tonnes of freight.
This connectivity meets the needs of a highly globalized economy. It enables businesses to reach their markets quickly, facilitates the arrival of talent and visitors, and contributes to Geneva’s reputation as an international diplomatic, scientific, financial and humanitarian centre.
It also plays a vital role in tourism. According to the study, tourists arriving at Geneva Airport – 2.9 million arrivals in 2024 – generated some CHF 1.7 billion in added value and supported more than 16,800 full-time equivalent jobs.
The study also analysed, for the first time, the value added generated by general and business aviation1 as well as by air freight activities. Taking all effects into account, these activities account for 330 million and 350 million francs of value added respectively.
Maintaining connectivity and accelerating the transition
The publication of this study comes at a time when the aviation sector is facing profound changes: decarbonisation, evolving regulations, competition between airport hubs and growing public expectations regarding noise and the environment.
For Geneva Airport, the airport’s economic contribution cannot be separated from its responsibility towards the local area. “The challenge is not to pit connectivity, prosperity and the environment against one another. It is to preserve connectivity whilst tangibly reducing the environmental externalities of airport operations. It is within this demanding balance that the future of Geneva Airport must be shaped,” adds Jean-François de Saussure.
Geneva Airport is therefore continuing its efforts to reduce emissions from its own operations, manage noise, soundproof neighbouring buildings and support the decarbonisation of the aviation sector.
The full study and its summary are available hereopens in a new tab
1 Includes all private and commercial flights with the exception of scheduled and charter traffic. General aviation comprises commercial and private flights for business travel, leisure flights, transport flights, etc.