The expansion and partitioning of the Skymetro is another of the construction projects belonging to the "Zürich 2010" project. Separating passengers who have undergone a security check from those who have not requires an organisational change to the way the Skymetro is operated.
The centralised security checks also involve changes for transfer passengers. The level of security checks performed on passengers arriving from Schengen countries is deemed sufficient by EU standards, while the majority of passengers from non-Schengen departure points are considered not to have undergone sufficient checks. They must undergo further checks before boarding a connecting flight.
To carry out the necessary checks on transfer passengers, transfer security controls are to be established in the existing Dock E and in the new Dock B. Transfer passengers from non-Schengen countries will pass through these controls upon arrival and will then continue to their connecting gate. Passengers leaving at Zurich and passengers from the Schengen Area are not required to undergo any further checks.
As the new centralised security check process requires that passengers who have undergone security checks are kept apart from those who have not been checked, the Skymetro stations in Dock E and below the Airside Center have been partitioned. Passengers who have been checked will be automatically directed to a different section of the Skymetro station to passengers who have not been checked. Passengers will then be transported to the baggage claim hall (Zurich exit) or the connecting gate via the appropriate Skymetro train.
Skymetro trains have been extended from two to three carriages to compensate for the impact the partitioning will have on capacity.