Swiss Airports See a Rise in Unaccompanied Minors, Swissport Enhances Its Passenger Services to Offer More Support and Reassurance for Parents

Poalua, April 15, 2025

Swiss airports have seen a notable increase in unaccompanied minors, driven by evolving travel trends and the growing comfort families have with young travelers flying solo. In response to this surge, Swissport has enhanced its passenger services to provide additional support and reassurance for parents. By offering specialized care, including dedicated supervision throughout the journey, Swissport ensures that unaccompanied minors are looked after every step of the way, giving parents peace of mind while their children travel through major Swiss airports.

Swissport’s increasing involvement in managing unaccompanied minors reflects the broader evolution of air travel, where such journeys are becoming more common. As these travelers increase in number, Swissport continues to prioritize their safety, ensuring that all necessary steps are taken to provide a secure and smooth experience.

Growing Numbers of Unaccompanied Minors at Key Swiss Airports

The number of unaccompanied minors passing through major Swiss airports is on the rise, with Swissport managing more of these young flyers each year. Two major airports in Switzerland, Zurich (ZRH) and Geneva (GVA), have seen substantial growth in the volume of minors traveling alone. For example, these airports have each handled more than 10,000 unaccompanied minors annually.

While Switzerland’s airports are smaller compared to some of Europe’s busiest hubs, the flow of unaccompanied minors continues to increase. Zurich Airport, for example, handled 31.2 million passengers in 2024, ranking as Europe’s 18th busiest airport. However, there are specific days where up to 200 unaccompanied minors pass through its terminals, with the peak number reaching 192 on July 7th, 2024.

Unaccompanied Minor Statistics at Swiss Airports

The rise of unaccompanied minors presents a considerable challenge for Swissport, but it is a challenge that the company meets with great care and dedication. Across key Swiss airports, the numbers continue to grow. A breakdown of 2024 data illustrates the extent of the increase:

At Zurich and Geneva, the average number of unaccompanied minors passing through daily ranges from 30 to 35, with spikes during peak travel periods such as the summer holidays and festive seasons. Even Basel’s EuroAirport, typically quieter, handled nearly 900 minors last year.

Swissport’s Approach to Ensuring a Safe and Smooth Journey

Swissport’s role in managing unaccompanied minors is pivotal, offering peace of mind to families. The company collaborates closely with airlines to ensure young passengers are closely supervised throughout the airport process and on their flights. With the increasing number of minors traveling alone, Swissport’s services are expanding to ensure their needs are met with the highest standards of care and attention.

Swissport stresses the importance of preparation for families planning to send minors on flights. They advise that children should travel with necessary identification, consent forms, and contact details for the authorized recipient at the destination. The company also encourages parents to book these services as early as possible to ensure that all protocols are followed, offering an additional layer of reassurance.

Preparing for a Seamless Journey

To help make the journey as smooth as possible, Swissport provides vital information to parents and guardians on its website. This includes advice on what to expect from the airport experience, how to prepare the child for the journey, and the steps to take to ensure the minor’s safety and comfort throughout the process.

Swiss airports have seen a rise in unaccompanied minors, prompting Swissport to enhance its services with added support and supervision, ensuring peace of mind for parents.

As the number of unaccompanied minors continues to grow, Swissport remains committed to offering top-tier services that prioritize the well-being of these young travelers, ensuring their journeys are safe, smooth, and stress-free.