Strengthening noise protection in the national aviation plan | Umweltbundesamt

In 2013 representatives of Federal Government, Länder and industry in the so-called Posch Commission spoke out in favour of drafting a national aviation plan for Germany. This group of experts had defined a few key points for the plan which, however, do not reflect a position that has been agreed upon by the Federal Government and the Länder. The members of the Posch Commission have advocated a reduction of the public’s aviation noise exposure and to pursue a comprehensive noise reduction strategy. Efforts to draft a plan must also include a critical review of whether there is an actual need in Germany for night flights. Should a well-founded need be determined as a national plan is drawn up, night flights must be distributed in the interest of health protection in such a way as to restrict the level of noise exposure of the population. Scientific studies provide proof that the health effects of aviation noise and night-time flying in particular are significant. For the sake of protecting the public the Federal Environment Agency therefore recommends that regular air traffic be stopped between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.