Sensitive urban area

Frankfurt Airport

Aircraft noise is the greatest environmental problem for airports with high traffic volumes, particularly if they are located in a densely populated (and thus sensitive) conurbation area, such as Frankfurt airport. Annoyance from airport noise has been subject for dispute with neighbouring towns and cities for years.
This case study will analyse the air traffic noise related sensitive areas in relation to urban areas in and around Frankfurt. With 52.2 million passengers in 2005, Frankfurt airport ranked eighth in the league table of the world's largest airports. Compared on the European level, it is number two in terms of passengers (after London-Heathrow) and in terms of airfreight and airmail, with a total of 1.86 million tonnes per year. On the national level, Frankfurt airport accounts for about 32 percent of the total German passenger air traffic and for about 63 percent of the total airfreight traffic.

 

Illustration of noise level maps from air traffic during day (6 - 22 h) and night (22 - 6 h) in Frankfurt airport and in the conurbation (orange scheme) and the distribution of the exposed population (grey scheme)

The measures considered in this case study will include a differentiated landing charge system, tradable noise permits, as well as the modification of departure routes and flight profiles (steeper descent and ascent – leading to a reduction in the number of people exposed) and their impacts on damages from noise, air pollution and global warming.