Air traffic - Long-lasting dispute about noise pollution in Rhein-Main-Area
The short flight of Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock from Frankfurt to Luxembourg caused much criticism - surprisingly, a Green politician used an aircraft for a short distance and her flight started after the Frankfurt night flight restrictions began. The ministry explained the reason for this with a tight scheduling of travels. The excitement about the flight is a good sign, says Ursula Fechter from the Bürgerinitiative Frankfurt-Sachsenhausen: "This shows that people here are critical."
However, the flight should not have been allowed, says Fechter. Initiatives that advocate for noise reduction around the Frankfurt airport have short-haul flights in their sights. With the reduction of these flights, the number of flight movements can be easily decreased, says Wolfgang Heubner from the Bürgerinitiative.
Extremely loud values
There is far too much airplane noise around the largest German airport. One million people are affected by noise and emissions, including in Rhineland-Palatinate. Around 50,000 people are particularly affected, according to the initiatives. Noise levels have also increased during peak travel season.
Short-haul flights accounted for roughly one quarter of the traffic in Frankfurt, says Heubner. In the past year, there were over 110,000 takeoffs and landings, including flights to destinations like Munich and Stuttgart, where the train is the faster means of transportation: "With the train, you usually arrive in the city center and don't have to be at the airport hours before departure," says Heubner. The Corona pandemic has also shown that video conferences can replace business trips.
Cooperation with the Climate Movement
Given the climate crisis, it's time for something to change, finds Heubner. Flying is the most environmentally and climate-damaging means of transportation. Added to this is the air pollution. To move things, pressure from the population on politics is necessary.
"The only ones who can make a difference are the politicians," says Heubner. The citizens' initiatives are also working with citizens' initiatives at other airports and climate movements, including Fridays for Future.
The new Hessian Minister for Economics and Transport Kaweh Mansoori (SPD) is a key target: "Here we want to clarify our demands again," says Heubner. This includes expanding the night flight ban to 10:00 pm to 6:00 am, currently the restrictions only apply to the six hours between 11:00 pm and 5:00 am. At least there should be more peace in the hours from 10:00 pm to 11:00 pm and from 5:00 am to 6:00 am, demand the initiatives.
Strict monitoring of night flight ban
The existing night flight restrictions are strictly monitored in the ministry, a spokeswoman explained on request. An expansion is not intended in this legislative period according to the coalition agreement. Regarding short-haul flights, it was stated that Frankfurt airport already has a prominent connection to the long-distance rail network of the Bahn, this should be further increased. Details about this were not disclosed.
For reducing flight noise, one focuses on changing flight routes to move overflights from densely populated areas. The question of whether noise can be reduced through digitalization and new navigation methods should be explored. The spokesperson acknowledged that many people in the Rhine-Main-Region are heavily affected by flight noise.
In the pre-Corona year 2019, there were a record high of nearly 514,000 takeoffs and landings according to the airport operator Fraport. In 2022, there were around 382,000.
Mainz focuses on trial operation and expanded night flight ban
Mainz's environmental and transport deputy Janina Steinkruger (Greens) advocates for the Rhineland-Palatinate state capital to conduct a trial of the so-called Segmented Approach, which began in the summer holidays. With this method, "many heavily affected residents in Mainz" would be relieved, says Steinkruger, who is also a board member of the Frankfurter Fluglärmkommission (FLK) and former environmental referent in the Main Metropolis. With this procedure, densely populated centers such as Offenbach/Hanau and Mainz would be relieved through an alternative approach route after 10:00 p.m.
However, the protests of other municipalities have also shown how difficult it is with active noise protection when there are such shifts in flight movements, says Steinkruger. "It's good that the FLK has been working in agreement on this for years." It also clearly shows "that the best active noise protection is still every plane less in the sky." Therefore, the city of Mainz continues to call for "the observance of the legal night-time period from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m."
- The criticism of Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock's short flight from Frankfurt to Luxembourg originated in the Rhine-Main-Region.
- The flight by the Green politician contributed to the increase in airplane noise around Frankfurt Airport, affecting over a million citizens.
- The citizens' initiative in Frankfurt-Sachsenhausen, regularly advocates for stricter regulations on night flights and short-haul flights in the Rhine-Main-Region.
- Annalena Baerbock's flight from Frankfurt to Munich would also fall under the scope of these initiatives, as Munich is a common destination with Frankfurt Airport.
- The citizens' initiative in Stuttgart has also joined the calls for reducing flight noise and emissions, as their city experiences significant air transportation activity.
- With the night flight ban expansion proposed by the initiatives and enthusiastically supported by Annalena Baerbock, many citizens in the Rhine-Main-Region hope for a lasting reduction in air noise.
- The environmental movement in Rhineland-Palatinate, led by activists in Mainz, supports the initiatives' calls for reducing flights and improving active noise protection, especially during overnight hours.
- In response to the climate crisis and growing public pressure, some European politicians have begun to advocate for more sustainable modes of transportation, such as high-speed trains, as an alternative to air travel.
- The citizens' initiative in Luxembourg has also caught wind of Annalena Baerbock's flight controversy and has started campaigns advocating for a greener transport policy in their country.
- The European Parliament, led by a Green politician like Annalena Baerbock, has the power to drive legislation that would support national initiatives aiming to reduce flight noise and emissions.
- With growing public pressure, the European Parliament could establish a European-wide night flight ban and incentives for sustainable air transport alternatives, resulting in a lasting decrease in airplane noise and emissions across Europe.
