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Aircraft noise hell: 150% more flights over Eichwalde! Citizens fight back!
Airplane noise in Dahme-Spreewald: Residents are protesting against increasing numbers of flights and are calling for measures to reduce noise.
Aircraft noise hell: 150% more flights over Eichwalde! Citizens fight back!
In the last few days, an increasing number of aircraft have appeared over Schulzendorf, Eichwalde and Zeuthen, which is causing a lot of dissatisfaction among local residents. These aircraft movements often exceed the established Hoffmann Curve, a route specifically designed to minimize aircraft noise for the local population. Loud maz-online.de The focus of the complaints is on the so-called D06R-1Z route, also known as the 15-degree bend, which is actually only intended for special cases.
A look at the numbers shows striking growth: While only 178 starts took place on the 15-degree bend route in 2022, there were already 413 starts in 2023. This corresponds to a dramatic increase of over 150 percent. Residents like Marcel Hoffmann are also observing that smaller aircraft, such as the Cityhoppers from Swiss or Air Lingus, are increasingly using this route. Mayor Jörg Jenoch expressed concern about the early starts from 5:30 a.m., which lead to significant noise pollution for residents.
The situation is explosive: In 2022, over 33,800 aircraft landed in Eichwalde, which is more than in many other communities in the area. In order to counteract aircraft noise, the three affected communities have initiated a petition that has already collected over 5,000 signatures. The aim of the petition is for the state parliament to address take-off behavior at BER and demand that more aircraft use the entire runway to take off. This could help better adhere to route specifications and reduce noise for residents.
Interventions in the Hoffmann curve
New changes to the Hoffmann curve were announced at the beginning of the year. Loud rbb24.de The satellite-based navigation system at BER Airport will be revised, which may result in a shift in flight routes to the east. However, this adjustment could further increase noise pollution for surrounding communities and raise concerns among residents as the planes could fly closer to Eichwalde's train tracks. The Aircraft Noise Commission has already formulated five counter-suggestions to improve the situation, but the German Air Traffic Control (DFS) announces that the changes only affect the map display and that the noise situation will remain unchanged.
In the discussion about aircraft noise, not only the securing of flight routes plays a role, but also active and passive noise protection. According to bdl.aero, airports in Germany have invested over 1.15 billion euros in passive noise protection measures in the last few decades. This includes structural measures such as soundproof windows for residents in defined noise protection zones. Despite these efforts, active noise protection can only prevent aircraft noise to a limited extent, which protects the population from health risks. However, the German aviation industry is prepared to continue investing large sums in noise protection in the future.
In summary, it should be noted that the residents in Eichwalde, Schulzendorf and Zeuthen are not only facing new challenges, but are also actively fighting against noise pollution. The continued increase in flight movements and the impending changes in the Hoffmann curve are causing hope for an early improvement to dwindle.