Lugano Airport strengthens its position in the Swiss airport system by obtaining an important safety certification. Following an audit conducted by the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA), the airport maintained its European EASA certificate, certifying its full compliance with the standards required by EU regulations regarding airport management and operational safety.
The audit, conducted between June 30 and July 3, 2026, is part of the periodic inspection program required by European regulations and covered the airport's entire organization, with particular attention to operational processes, internal procedures, and the safety management system.
A thorough check on the organization of the stopover
The federal inspection aimed to evaluate the airport's overall operation, verifying that all activities met the standards required to maintain EASA certification. The analysis included not only technical aspects, but also internal organization, documentation, operating procedures, and the airport's ability to ensure effective safety management.
Following the completion of the checks, the FOCA confirmed that Lugano Airport complies with the European requirements currently in force, thus allowing it to maintain the certification, which represents one of the main benchmarks for airports on the continent.
Clear progress since the 2023 review
One of the most significant aspects that emerged from the audit concerns the comparison with the previous inspection carried out in 2023. The results show substantial improvements in several respects.
Among the most appreciated elements is the aerodrome manual, now considered to be of high quality. At the same time, the inspectors noted a strengthening of the so-called safety culture, that is, that set of shared behaviors, procedures, and responsibilities that constitute one of the fundamental elements for modern airport security management.
As highlighted in the report, this growth path has been possible thanks to the work carried out in recent months by the airport's management and staff, who have contributed to consolidating increasingly structured processes.
Over 70% less non-conformity
The numerical data also confirm the recorded improvement.
Compared to the 2023 audit, the overall number of nonconformities identified by inspectors has decreased by more than 70%, an indicator that demonstrates the effectiveness of the corrective measures introduced in recent years.
Even more significant is the data relating to the most significant critical issues: during the 2026 audit, no critical non-conformities were found, while in the previous audit, five such situations had been identified.
This result highlights the effectiveness of the airport's compliance process and the growing reliability of its management system.
Confirmation of the EASA certificate
In light of the positive outcome of the inspection, the FOCA confirmed the validity of Lugano Airport's EASA certificate.
European certification represents official recognition of an airport's compliance with required safety standards and is one of the fundamental tools for ensuring that airport activities are carried out according to uniform and internationally shared procedures.
For certified airports, this means demonstrating not only compliance with technical standards, but also the ability to systematically manage all aspects of operational safety.
A result built over time
The certification renewal comes at the end of a continuous improvement process involving both the City of Lugano and the airport management.
In recent years, organizational tools have been developed, procedures updated, and process management strengthened with the aim of further increasing the airport's reliability.
The audit outcome therefore confirms the effectiveness of the measures adopted and the organization's ability to meet the standards required by the competent authorities.
A basis for future prospects
Confirmation of the EASA certificate also has strategic importance for the future development of Lugano Airport.
Operating in compliance with the highest European standards is an essential prerequisite for ensuring operational continuity, quality of services, and infrastructure reliability.
The result achieved also strengthens the airport's credibility with regulatory authorities and industry operators, providing a solid foundation on which to build the next phases of growth.
