Responsibilities and role
At German airports where a noise protection zone has been designated, there are statutory aircraft noise commissions. They have various responsibilities aimed at keeping noise pollution to a minimum for local residents – despite air traffic.
- Recommendations on flight paths and procedures: The commissions advise on which flight paths and procedures help to minimise aircraft noise for the benefit of local residents, passengers and staff.
- Measures to combat aircraft noise: The commissions advise on which active and passive noise abatement measures can be used to reduce aircraft noise pollution.
- Locations of noise monitoring stations: The committees determine where monitoring stations are to be installed in order to accurately record noise levels.
- Informing the public: The committees inform the public about noise pollution and noise abatement measures.
A link between all stakeholders
The aircraft noise commissions bring together the interests of many stakeholders. For example, the surrounding local authorities, the Federal Association Against Aircraft Noise, the Ministry of Transport as the highest state authority, and airlines all take part in the discussions.
The outcomes of these consultations are taken into account in the authorities’ decisions. Even though the authorities are not bound by the recommendations, they must justify any deviations. This lends the commissions considerable weight.
