FRANKFURT (dpa-AFX) - There is still sharp criticism of the redistribution of aircraft noise planned by the operator of Frankfurt Airport. In a statement issued by the Commission for the Prevention of Aircraft Noise, which represents the neighboring municipalities, there is talk of a serious breach of trust. The Aircraft Noise Commission (FLK) called on the state of Hesse to immediately examine whether the new operating concept is still compatible with the planning approval decision.
FLK chairman Paul-Gerhard Weiss spoke of a profound breach of the principles on which the expansion of the airport was based, both legally and politically. At the time, it had been promised that the municipalities most affected would not be subject to double burdens. Now, this promise is to be unilaterally abandoned without involving those affected.
The credibility of airport policy is at stake: "If promises made back then no longer apply today, this undermines not only trust in the institutions, but also in the entire legal process," explained Weiss, who is a member of the Offenbach city council. The concept was worked out behind closed doors. It only became apparent at the urging of the heavily affected town of Hochheim.
Changes to departures
The operating company Fraport and German air traffic control (DFS) announced on Wednesday that they were working on a new operating concept for Germany's largest airport. The changes affect departures in the westbound direction, which account for around 70 percent of all flights in Frankfurt. The reason for this is the increasing number of flight movements expected by 2033.
In response to criticism from the FLK, airport operator Fraport stated that work on the concept was not yet complete. The current status had been presented to the neighboring municipalities. All organizations, ministries, supervisory authorities, and committees involved would be further involved in the coming months.
The DFS emphasized that the municipalities affected had been informed in advance last week. "We expressly suggested that the Frankfurt Aircraft Noise Commission be consulted," said a spokeswoman. The exchange with municipal representatives and the state government will continue.
No statement was initially available from the state government.
"We feel blindsided and deceived," said Manfred Ockel, deputy FLK chairman and mayor of Kelsterbach: "The DFS has been stringing us along for years with promises to find solutions, while at the same time working behind the scenes to increase the burden on northwestern departures. Such an approach is completely unacceptable."
Criticism also came from Mainz's environmental affairs officer and deputy FLK chairwoman Janina Steinkrüger. She said that trust between the commission, the airport operator, and the DFS had been severely damaged. /isa/DP/stw
