Switzerland, Germany sign air transport agreement
Germany and Switzerland have signed an agreement in Bern to end a long-standing dispute over noise pollution caused by Zurich airport.
The head of Switzerland’s Federal Office for Civil Aviation, André Auer, and the German ambassador, Reinhard Hilger, ended a long-standing deadlock marked by more than a dozen rounds of negotiations, when they penned their signatures.
The deal, drawn up by Switzerland’s transport minister, Moritz Leuenberger, and his German counterpart, Kurt Bodewig, was agreed in principle last April. Its aim is to reduce the number of flights over Germany, following complaints about noise pollution.
The deal includes a ban on night flights and a reduction in flights over the weekends.It won’t become effective until after it is ratified by the two countries’ parliaments. Ratification is not guaranteed, because of opposition to the provisions of the agreement.
The proposed treaty, which replaces an existing agreement signed in 1984, is aimed at a geographically more balanced use of flight lanes to Zurich airport.
Zurich airport is Switzerland’s main international gateway, situated less than 20 kilometres from the border with Germany. Most aircraft landing at the airport fly over territory in southern Germany.
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