Introduction of a mandatory minimum technical standard for aircraft to reduce noise over Offenbach

According to the application, the amendment to the operating permit should stipulate better (minimum) technical equipment for aircraft from the 2019/2020 flight plan onwards. This would enable more varied approach procedures that cause less noise over the densely populated city of Offenbach. This would be achieved by not flying over Offenbach at certain times, but instead flying around it without excessively impacting neighboring communities. At present, not all aircraft are equipped with the RNAV area navigation system, which has been in use for a generation of aircraft and is now state of the art, but which could easily be made mandatory at FRA.

Mayor Schneider: "My initiative in the FLK is a further step towards significantly reducing noise over Offenbach. Not only can noise be reduced in this way, but Fraport AG would also have advantages: it could demand long-overdue and expected standards from the airlines landing at FRA. As a result, some airlines would have to invest in their outdated fleets for the benefit of those affected by aircraft noise. The affected airlines have enough time until 2019/2020 to retrofit their aircraft. This change would - in the interests of Fraport - also serve the economic efficiency and safety of air traffic. However, it is crucial that fewer people are affected by unreasonable and harmful aircraft noise. This is just another building block in a wide range of measures that we are calling for."

The Aircraft Noise Commission will decide on the application at its meeting on 06.07.2016.