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Leipzig. The expansion plans for Leipzig/Halle Airport were first presented six years ago. After four years of examination, accompanied by numerous protests from the public and demonstrations, the responsible state directorate approved the expansion. The project includes the expansion and redesign in the south-east of the existing airport facility, the state directorate announced. The project involves expanding the apron area by 39 hectares within the airport site in order to eliminate existing bottlenecks and adapt handling capacities to the expected volume of consignments by 2032.
The plans include new de-icing positions, a snow dump and modern drainage facilities. Additional aircraft stands are to be built near the cargo terminals. Furthermore, connections to the existing runway system and building construction areas will be created via new taxiways.
Operators: best growth prospects for the coming decades
The decision is forward-looking, said Götz Ahmelmann, CEO of Mitteldeutsche Flughafen AG. "It opens up the best growth prospects for our airport, all employees and therefore the entire logistics and economic region of Central Germany for the coming decades."
According to the state directorate, more than 8,000 objections and comments from citizens and public interest groups were examined and evaluated during the planning approval process. The objections mainly related to concerns regarding noise protection, the impact on global climate protection and the necessity of the expansion. The decision therefore contains a number of conditions.
Some conditions in the decision
For example, properties that are particularly affected by noise must be taken over by Flughafen Leipzig/Halle GmbH at the request of the owners. Low-noise generators must be used to supply power to the aircraft on the extended apron. In addition, rainwater drainage must be improved and the water compatibility of the discharge into the Kalten Born must be ensured. Furthermore, interventions in nature and the landscape must be compensated for - this includes protective measures for sand lizards and lapwings. The airport operator must also bear the costs of noise protection.
Second largest cargo airport with night flight permit
Leipzig/Halle Airport on the border of Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt is now the second largest cargo airport in Germany. Cargo aircraft are permitted to fly at night. The operator, Mitteldeutsche Flughafen AG, plans to invest 500 million euros. The shipping company DHL Express is planning to expand its logistics hub at the airport.
Critics: Decision was foreseeable and is wrong
Opponents of the expansion had criticized the project as being completely out of date in view of the climate crisis. The left-wing parliamentary group in the Saxon state parliament, for example, assessed the decision as foreseeable and wrong. "It harms the local population, who will suffer from even more noise. It harms the climate because the number of aircraft movements is increasing," emphasized Marco Böhme, spokesman for the left-wing parliamentary group for climate protection and mobility.
Decision can still be contested
According to the regional directorate, an appeal against the decision is possible. However, this would not have a suspensive effect. Construction can therefore begin," said a spokeswoman on request. In summary proceedings, however, the administrative court could order a temporary halt to construction until the main proceedings have been decided. (dpa)
