The European Court of Justice in Luxembourg announced on Thursday it had rejected a request by the Swiss government to repeal a 2003 decision by the European Commission.
The commission had backed Germany’s move to impose restrictions on inbound and night flights to Zurich after complaints from residents in nearby southern Germany.
Switzerland’s main airport is only about 20km from the German border.
Swiss Transport Minister Moritz Leuenberger said he was not surprised by the court ruling and that experts would decide whether to appeal.
“I’ve always expected such a court ruling,” Leuenberger said.
It is still possible to find a reasonable solution within a short time, he added.
The EU welcomed the court ruling as “good news for German citizens who want to get a good night’s sleep.”
Switzerland argued the German restrictions were disproportional and discriminated against Swiss International Air Lines.
The dispute over flight noise has strained relations with Germany for more than 25 years. The Swiss parliament rejected a government-backed deal with Berlin seven years ago.
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Bern and Berlin aim for flight noise settlement
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The move was announced on Monday after talks in Berlin between Swiss Transport Minister Moritz Leuenberger and his German counterpart, Peter Ramsauer. Leuenberger told journalists in the German capital that as “neighbours with close friendly ties” both wanted to bring an end to this seven-year-long quarrel. A joint working group is to be set up…
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Politicians, business leaders and people living around the airport have demanded action after a compromise solution to alleviate disturbance comes under strain just one year after being introduced. Local residents have long complained that the steadily increasing number of flights has disturbed their sleep, health and property prices. Their complaints intensified five years ago when…
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The talks will also be an opportunity to discuss another issue that has been grabbing headlines for the past few months: Switzerland’s reputation as a haven for Germans hiding their money from the taxman. It’s Merkel’s first official visit to Switzerland and follows an invitation by Swiss President Pascal Couchepin in February. In 2003 Germany…
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