FRANKFURT (dpa-AFX) - There is still sharp criticism of the redistribution of aircraft noise in the region planned by the operator of Frankfurt Airport. In a statement by the Commission for the Prevention of Aircraft Noise, in which the neighboring municipalities are represented, there is talk of a serious breach of trust. The state of Hesse should immediately examine whether the plans are compatible with the planning approval decision. According to the responsible ministry, this examination is planned.

The chairman of the Aircraft Noise Commission (FLK) and Offenbach city councilor 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 is to be unilaterally abandoned without involving those affected.

Hesse's Minister of Economics and Transport, Kaweh Mansoori (SPD), told the German Press Agency that he understood the disappointment in the affected municipalities. Even today, more flights were passing over them than originally planned.

Ministry to review plans

The ministry will carefully examine Fraport and DFS's plans to determine their actual noise impact. This also applies to compliance with the planning approval decision. If necessary, the ministry will also be responsible for reviewing and implementing further measures to ensure compliance. The minister explained that a fair balance of burdens must be ensured.

FLK chairman Weiss warned that the credibility of airport policy was at stake: "If promises made in the past no longer apply today, this undermines not only trust in the institutions, but also in the entire legal process." The concept had been worked out behind closed doors. It only became apparent at the insistence 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 flights in Frankfurt. The background to this is an expected increase in flight movements by 2033.

Airport operator Fraport responded to the criticism by stating 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," a spokeswoman said. Discussions with municipal representatives and the state government will continue.

Municipalities "taken by surprise and disappointed"

"We feel taken by surprise and deceived," said Manfred Ockel, deputy FLK chairman and mayor of Kelsterbach. The move was "completely unacceptable." Criticism also came from Mainz's environment minister and deputy FLK chairwoman Janina Steinkrüger. She said that trust between the commission, the airport operator, and DFS had been severely damaged. /isa/DP/stw