Swiss charter taxes and fees
International charters to or from Switzerland are exempt from Swiss VAT; domestic flights pay the standard rate of 8.1%. Geneva and Zurich add per-passenger, security, noise and emission charges, set out in each airport's published regulation.
- Swiss VAT
- 8.1% standard rate
- International flights
- Exempt with credit
- Geneva security charge
- CHF 13.20 a passenger
- Zurich GA/BA passenger charge
- CHF 3.70
What sits on top of the flight
Only on domestic flights. Under Article 41 of the Swiss VAT Ordinance, air transport where either the departure or the arrival is in Switzerland is exempt from tax with credit, so a charter from Geneva to London carries no Swiss VAT. The Federal Tax Administration (ESTV) treats domestic air transport as taxable at the standard rate, which is 8.1%.
A Swiss charter quote is built from the aircraft and crew for the flying time, plus any positioning. On top come VAT where it applies and the charges of each airport used, which at Geneva and Zurich include per-passenger, security, noise and emission charges.
Both airports publish their charges in Swiss francs excluding VAT. On our quotes they sit within the airport and handling costs, so the figures below show what is behind that line.
Our pricing and fees page explains how a quote is built, and the cost calculator gives an estimate for your route.
Sources:Swiss VAT Ordinance (SR 641.201), Art. 41: tax exemption with credit for international air traffic (bilingual copy; only the Federal Chancellery's publication is binding)Federal Tax Administration (ESTV): supplies and services to air transport companies (domestic air transport taxable at the standard rate)Federal Tax Administration (ESTV): current Swiss VAT ratesGenève Aéroport: Airport Charges Regulation for General Aviation and Business Aviation, in force from 1 January 2025 (2025 to 2027 tariff period)Flughafen Zürich AG: Airport Charges Regulation, version 3.9, valid from 1 October 2026
When Swiss VAT applies to a charter
| Flight | Swiss VAT | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Switzerland to abroad, or abroad to Switzerland | Exempt with credit | VAT Ordinance, Art. 41 para. 1 (a) |
| Abroad to abroad, crossing Swiss territory | Exempt with credit | VAT Ordinance, Art. 41 para. 1 (b) |
| Domestic leg of an international flight, stopping in Switzerland only for a technical stop or to change to a connecting flight | Exempt with credit | VAT Ordinance, Art. 41 para. 2 |
| Domestic flight, such as Geneva to Sion or Zurich to St. Moritz | 8.1% | ESTV: domestic air transport is taxable at the standard rate |
Swiss VAT rates are 8.1% (standard), 2.6% (reduced) and 3.8% (accommodation). The online copy of the Ordinance we used notes that only the Federal Chancellery's publication is binding.
Sources:Swiss VAT Ordinance (SR 641.201), Art. 41: tax exemption with credit for international air traffic (bilingual copy; only the Federal Chancellery's publication is binding)Federal Tax Administration (ESTV): supplies and services to air transport companies (domestic air transport taxable at the standard rate)Federal Tax Administration (ESTV): current Swiss VAT rates
Tell us the dates and passengers. A specialist replies with aircraft options and an all-in price, around the clock.
Passenger and security charges at Geneva and Zurich
| Charge, per departing passenger | Geneva (LSGG) | Zurich (LSZH) |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger charge | CHF 2.85 for business aviation passengers on aircraft up to 8.6 tonnes (8,618 kg); CHF 14.70 per local passenger | CHF 3.70 per GA/BA passenger |
| Security charge | CHF 13.20 | CHF 11.30 |
| Charge for passengers with reduced mobility | CHF 1.35 in 2026, CHF 1.45 in 2027 | CHF 0.90 per commercial passenger; none for non-commercial |
| Not charged | Children under two | Children under two, crew and transit passengers |
Geneva: regulation for general and business aviation in force from 1 January 2025 for the 2025 to 2027 tariff period. Zurich: version 3.9, valid from 1 October 2026, where GA/BA means flights with up to 24 passengers and 200 kg of freight that need no terminal infrastructure. All figures exclude VAT.
Sources:Genève Aéroport: Airport Charges Regulation for General Aviation and Business Aviation, in force from 1 January 2025 (2025 to 2027 tariff period)Flughafen Zürich AG: Airport Charges Regulation, version 3.9, valid from 1 October 2026Flughafen Zürich: airport charges (charge types and regulation)
Landing, noise, emission and parking charges
These charges move with the size of the aircraft, its noise class and the time of day.
- Geneva landing charge by maximum take-off weight: CHF 60.50 for 2 to 6 tonnes, CHF 132.00 for 6 to 12 tonnes and CHF 203.50 for 12 to 20 tonnes, plus a slot fee of CHF 3.00 per movement.
- Geneva noise charge per jet landing, by noise class: from CHF 10 (Class V) to CHF 4,400 (Class I). A jet taking off after 22:00 pays an extra night charge, from CHF 50 (Class V, 22:00 to 22:29) to CHF 18,000 (Class I, midnight to 05:59).
- Zurich daytime noise charge per jet landing: nothing for noise class 5, up to CHF 800 for class 1. Night surcharges apply to take-offs and landings from 21:00 to 07:00; a take-off between midnight and 06:00 costs CHF 1,500 for a class 5 jet and CHF 18,000 for class 1.
- Both airports charge for emissions per landing: Geneva uses the ECAC Recommendation 27/4 formula, Zurich a charge based on nitrogen oxide emissions using FOCA engine data.
- Parking: Geneva gives the first 120 minutes free, then charges CHF 5 per tonne per day for aircraft of 2 to 20 tonnes. Zurich charges per minute by weight class, with no parking charge from 23:00 to 06:00, and adds 200% for business aviation from two days before to two days after the World Economic Forum.
Sources:Genève Aéroport: Airport Charges Regulation for General Aviation and Business Aviation, in force from 1 January 2025 (2025 to 2027 tariff period)Flughafen Zürich AG: Airport Charges Regulation, version 3.9, valid from 1 October 2026
Other costs you may see
If the aircraft is not based at your departure airport, the flight to collect you, or home after a one-way trip, is part of the price. Empty legs can avoid it.
Commercial flights at Geneva must use a handling agent, and its fees come on top of the airport charges listed here.
From 1 October to 30 April, Geneva charges a de-icing fee per departure of CHF 23.50 or CHF 56.00, depending on aircraft category.
Sources:Genève Aéroport: PPR, air traffic coordination for general and business aviationGenève Aéroport: Airport Charges Regulation for General Aviation and Business Aviation, in force from 1 January 2025 (2025 to 2027 tariff period)
Questions, answered
Still deciding? A charter specialist will talk you through aircraft, airports and price, with no obligation.
Ask a specialistIs there VAT on a private jet flight from Switzerland to another country?+
No. Under Article 41 of the Swiss VAT Ordinance, air transport where the departure or the arrival is in Switzerland is exempt from tax with credit.
What is the VAT rate on a domestic Swiss charter?+
8.1%, the standard rate. The ESTV treats domestic air transport as taxable at the standard rate.
What passenger charges does Geneva levy on a private jet?+
On aircraft up to 8.6 tonnes, CHF 2.85 per departing passenger, plus a security charge of CHF 13.20 and a charge for passengers with reduced mobility of CHF 1.35 in 2026, all excluding VAT. Children under two are not charged.
What does Zurich charge per private jet passenger?+
Under the regulation valid from 1 October 2026, CHF 3.70 per departing GA/BA passenger and a security charge of CHF 11.30, excluding VAT.
Why does a late departure cost more?+
Both airports add night noise charges. At Geneva a jet taking off after 22:00 pays from CHF 50 to CHF 18,000 on top, depending on its noise class and the time; Zurich's night surcharges start at 21:00.
Are these charges shown on my quote?+
Yes. Every quote we send includes the airport charges for the airports you use and shows VAT as its own line where it applies.
Fares, dates and rules on this page were checked on 19 October 2026. Official fares and schedules change every season; the operator or authority named in each source has the final word.
- 1.Swiss VAT Ordinance (SR 641.201), Art. 41: tax exemption with credit for international air traffic (bilingual copy; only the Federal Chancellery's publication is binding)
- 2.Federal Tax Administration (ESTV): supplies and services to air transport companies (domestic air transport taxable at the standard rate)
- 3.Federal Tax Administration (ESTV): current Swiss VAT rates
- 4.Genève Aéroport: Airport Charges Regulation for General Aviation and Business Aviation, in force from 1 January 2025 (2025 to 2027 tariff period)
- 5.Flughafen Zürich AG: Airport Charges Regulation, version 3.9, valid from 1 October 2026
- 6.Flughafen Zürich: airport charges (charge types and regulation)
- 7.Genève Aéroport: PPR, air traffic coordination for general and business aviation
Every franc on the quote.
A specialist replies around the clock with aircraft options, the operator's name and an all-in price.