In a key ruling of 13 October, the highest administrative court in Germany, the Bundesverwaltungsgericht, has confirmed the operating hours of Berlin Brandenburg Airport in last instance. The new airport for Germany’s capital region will be Europe’s most modern airport when it opens in June 2012.
The court confirmed the planned night flight ban between midnight and 5:00, while upholding that regular scheduled flights can take place between 5:30 and 23:30. There will be no scheduled flights between 5:00 and 5:30 and between 23:30 and 24:00, however, early or late arriving and departing aircraft are allowed to use these 30 minute windows.
The number of aircraft movements has been estimated to an average of 77 per day for the periods 22:00 to 24:00 and 5:00 to 6:00.
Klaus Wowereit, Governing Mayor of Berlin and Chairman of the Board of Berlin Airports, said: “The Court has fully confirmed the airport’s planning. The ruling provides legal certainty, which is particularly important six months ahead of the opening. On this basis, we can meet our objective of providing additional long-haul connections from Berlin. Now that the operational framework for the new airport is confirmed, I invite all airlines to make use of the excellent opportunites of the new airport and to create new connections to and from all parts of the world.”
Prof. Dr. Rainer Schwarz, CEO of Berlin Airports, said „The court ruling has set the course for the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport. In light of today’s verdict, we can open and operate the airport as planned. I am delighted about the clarity with which the court has acknowledged our role as Germany’s capital airport. An important signal has been sent to the airlines, and I am confident that we will see the confirmation of new routes in the coming weeks. At the same time we will ensure that the residents will receive fast and unbureaucratic protection against aircraft noise, as requested by the court.”
