BER Airport: Noise dominates the mood in the surrounding area – citizens are dissatisfied!

BER Airport: Noise dominates the mood in the surrounding area – citizens are dissatisfied!

There is currently a mixed mood in the communities surrounding BER Airport, as a recent survey shows. Five years after the airport opened, residents' opinions are divided. According to maz-online.de, only a few participants are in full support of the BER. The most negative highlight - aircraft noise - outshone many of the other aspects the airport offers.

The survey answered the question about the impact of the airport on the quality of life of residents with overwhelming skepticism: the average value is just 3.7 points on a scale of 1 to 10 when it comes to the positive developments caused by the airport. In contrast, those affected gave 7.7 points to the perceived aircraft noise, while the impairment of quality of life was rated at 6.8 points.

Noise abatement measures and public opinion

Not surprisingly, 74 percent of those surveyed associate the airport with noise, while the health impacts of air traffic are noticeable for around half of the participants. However, only 45 percent of those surveyed use the airport as convenient for traveling, and only 31 percent associate it with workplace opportunities. According to the UNCO survey, the majority of residents want strict adherence to the ban on night flights (155 responses) and consistent adherence to flight routes (144 responses).

The airport company (FBB) has already initiated a number of noise protection measures to accommodate residents. A noise protection program was launched for 26,500 households, covering an area of ​​over 155 km² around the airport. berlin-airport.de reports that over 475 million euros have already been invested in these initiatives. In addition, FBB relies on noise-related fees, which provide for higher fees for louder aircraft, and promotes the use of quieter aircraft.

An accepted part of the region

Despite all the criticism, the BER is perceived as an accepted part of the region in the surrounding communities. However, expectations are clearly defined: people particularly want peace and quiet and protection from the negative effects of air traffic. Broader communication between the airport company and surrounding communities is also called for, with only 18 votes in favor of relaxing night flight rules.

Overall, it remains to be noted that although BER Airport brings with it some advantages, such as increased opportunities for international connections, the main concern for residents remains clearly aircraft noise and its impact on quality of life. There is still a lot of room for improvement in terms of taking citizens' concerns seriously and actively creating solutions. Good noise insulation could be the key to improving the quality of life for residents.