Opposition to the expansion of Leipzig/Halle Cargo Airport: How can you support the legal action brought by those opposed to aircraft noise?

Dieser Artikel ist auch in deutscher Sprache verfügbar: Zum deutschen Artikel.

“Our position is clear: we will not simply accept the further expansion of the cargo airport and the associated additional burden on people and the environment. The legal action makes it possible to have the planned expansion plans reviewed by the courts. To ensure that this case does not fail due to the plaintiffs’ lack of financial resources, we are asking for your support,” writes Matthias Zimmermann, spokesperson for the Action Alliance against the Expansion of Leipzig/Halle Cargo Airport. Together with BUND Germany, the Action Alliance has brought a legal challenge against the airport’s expansion plans. But that costs money.

This is why the Action Alliance is appealing to the public to support the legal action with donations.

Werner Kindsmüller, President of the Federal Association Against Aircraft Noise (BVF), has also launched an appeal, addressing members and friends of the association personally and asking for support for the joint legal action with BUND.

“The message is clear: decisions are being made in Leipzig/Halle on issues that could affect people at airports across Germany in the future. It is about protecting people’s health from aircraft noise and air pollutants, about the consequences of ultrafine particulate matter, and about the question of what weight is actually given to the interests of the affected population in further airport expansion projects,” explains Matthias Zimmermann. “The BVF therefore describes the proceedings as a ‘landmark case of national significance’.”

For the action alliance, this support is a great recognition of its many years of commitment – “and at the same time a clear sign that opposition to ever more night flights and ever-increasing pollution is not limited to Leipzig/Halle.”

Werner Kindsmüller summarised the aim of the legal action as follows: “In November, oral proceedings will begin before the Saxon Higher Administrative Court regarding the legal action against the expansion of Leipzig/Halle Cargo Airport. This is not just about a single airport. The proceedings will address fundamental issues relating to aircraft noise, health, climate and nature conservation, the resolution of which could set a precedent for future decisions at numerous German airports.

The lawsuit was triggered by the planning approval decision of 16 September 2024, which authorised the further expansion of Leipzig/Halle Airport. The planned extensions will allow for additional flight movements and will lead to further exposure to aircraft noise and air pollutants, particularly during the night. Demands for more far-reaching protective measures for the affected population were not given sufficient consideration.
The Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt regional branches of the German Environmental and Nature Conservation Association (BUND), together with our member organisation, the Action Alliance against the Expansion of Leipzig/Halle Cargo Airport, have brought a legal action against this decision. The group of claimants is represented by Dr Franziska Heß, a lawyer specialising in environmental and planning law.”

Donation account:
Bundesvereinigung gegen Fluglärm e.V.
Reference: Donation for Leipzig/Halle
test case IBAN: DE83 3004 0000 0855 0030 00
BIC: COBADEFFXXX

Further information on the legal action, the key legal issues and the progress of the proceedings can be found here.