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DE 
Klaus Staeubert
Leipzig. Despite protests, Leipzig will not take action against the expansion of Leipzig/Halle Airport. The protection against aircraft noise falls short of expectations, admitted Thomas Dienberg (Greens), the mayor of Leipzig, at the council meeting on Thursday. However, unlike Schkeuditz, the city of Leipzig will refrain from taking legal action against the planning approval decision with which the Leipzig State Directorate gave the green light for the expansion of the airport facilities in September.
The debate on the legal handling of the state authority's decision was triggered by a joint motion from the Left and Green parliamentary groups. Enrico Stange (Left Party) referred to an ongoing conflict between the economic importance of the airport on the one hand and the impact on the neighboring communities on the other. "We cannot and must not sacrifice the health of our citizens to the growth of the airport," said Sylvia Herbst-Weckel (Greens), explaining why the two parliamentary groups felt it was necessary to take legal action.
Airport apron to grow by 39 hectares
Mitteldeutsche Flughafen AG plans to invest 300 million in the expansion, extending the apron area by 39 hectares. The aim is to adapt handling capacities to future transport volumes. The air freight giant DHL is also planning to expand its logistics hub.
Complaints against the planning approval decision can still be submitted until December 4. However, FDP city councillor Sven Morlok warned against giving the people affected by noise protection "the wrong impression".
The airport was the breakthrough in eliminating mass unemployment in the city.
Burkhard Jung (SPD), Lord Mayor
Dienberg: Leipzig's rights have not been violated
According to Mayor Dienberg, a legal examination has indeed shown that the city lacks the right to sue: "The city has not violated any rights." A lawsuit therefore has no prospect of success. However, efforts to improve noise protection will continue. "We will put forward our demands elsewhere," assured Dienberg.
He will work to ensure that airlines increasingly use quieter engines and non-fossil fuels and that the controversial short southern turn is abolished, assured Mayor Burkhard Jung (SPD). Nevertheless, the airport is of great importance for the city and the region. "The airport was the breakthrough in eliminating mass unemployment in the city," Jung emphasized. More than 11,000 jobs depended on the airport. "Many people are better off today because of this airport and cargo airport," said Andreas Nowak (CDU).
The Left and the Greens finally withdrew their demand for legal action and instead settled for an expert opinion that the city will now commission on the effects of air traffic on Leipzig's floodplain system.
