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KAGZRM: “Health protection must take priority over location interests”
The Municipal Working Group for the Future of the Rhine-Main Region (KAGZRM) has responded with strong criticism to recent complaints from the aviation industry about allegedly lacking growth. The German Aviation Association (BDL) sees taxes and fees as a competitive disadvantage for Germany as a business location.
There is no sign of a crisis in the Rhine-Main region: According to Fraport, the number of flight movements in July, at 42,657, was only 9.5 percent below the record year of 2019. This means that noise pollution is once again clearly noticeable for residents. Between June and mid-August, the night flight ban was violated 420 times.
"Aircraft noise protection must not be a sideshow," emphasizes the KAGZRM. "Protecting the public from harmful aircraft noise is a top federal policy concern. Studies demonstrate the massive health risks, particularly from nighttime aircraft noise – from sleep disturbances to cardiovascular disease."
The KAGZRM criticizes the fact that the federal government's coalition agreement does not contain any concrete measures to tighten noise limits or reform the Aircraft Noise Protection Act. "The federal government must live up to its responsibility and finally make aircraft noise protection a real priority," demands Thomas Will, Chairman of the KAGZRM.
New scientific studies such as those by Guski, Schreckenberg, and Seidler (2023) recommend significantly lower noise limits and a comprehensive adjustment of legal regulations. Action is also needed regarding structural sound insulation and night flight regulations.
The working group warns that planned relief for the aviation industry – for example, through tax cuts or the rolling back of national environmental standards – would weaken environmental and noise protection. "Sustainable air transport must be ecologically, socially, and health-friendly – this requires clear legal requirements," says the KAGZRM.
The calls include binding night flight bans, modernized noise limits, clear incentives for quieter aircraft types, consistent CO₂ pricing, and the shift of domestic flights to rail.
"Aircraft noise protection must not remain a voluntary commitment of individual countries or airports. It must be enshrined in law – only in this way can mobility, economic development, health, and quality of life be fairly balanced," concludes the KAGZRM.
(Gross-Gerau district-Red/PSGG)
