Staff at Zurich Airport now using autonomous shuttle buses

Employees at the Zurich Airport have been taking “level 3” autonomous shuttle buses around the grounds since June 2025. Preparations are underway to run the shuttles at "level 4 autonomy", which doesn’t require a driver to be present

Autonomous shuttle buses transport airport staff

The future of transport is unfolding at Zurich Airport, with a pilot project to use autonomous buses entering a new phase. Since June 2025, employees at Switzerland’s largest airport have been using autonomous shuttle buses to get between different buildings in the airport.

Two buses, named Nimbus and Stratus, transfer airport staff between offices, various hangars and maintenance gates around the airport. The buses are now running at level 3 autonomy. A driver is still present to oversee safety and “can intervene at any time”, according to an airport press release. 

Zurich Airport shuttle to run fully autonomously in the future

The vehicles will eventually run fully autonomously without a driver present. The project, which began earlier this year, initially saw the buses running without any passengers on board. A lot of work has been done to ensure the buses are ready for passenger use, including tests and installing IT systems. 

When the buses run fully autonomously, “Only remote monitoring will take place”, says Raphaël Glaesener, Senior Innovation Manager at Zurich Airport. 

However, the next phase of the project is “still a long way off”, continues the press release. A remote cockpit is being developed and tested to enable remote operation of the bus, if necessary. When operating without a driver, Nimbus and Stratus would be the first autonomous buses in Europe to operate on an airport apron.

Switzerland’s first autonomous public bus is also set to start operating in Arbon, Thurgau, this autumn and Swiss Post has recently tested a four-legged robot to help with parcel deliveries.