Press release

Protection against Aircraft Noise
Amended Fees Schedule for BER approved 

The Ministry for Infrastructure and State Development has approved the amendment to the fees schedule for the commercial airport Berlin-Brandenburg applied for by Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH (FBB). The official notification was handed over to FBB on 22 June 2022. The updated fees schedule is to apply from September 1st 2022 onwards.

The amendment to the fees schedule affects the regulations on the noise-related take-off and landing fees. The noise-related fees are charged for aircraft of a maximum certificated take-off mass of 2,000 kg and more. Until now, aircraft have been classed for this in different noise categories based upon their type. The noise-related fees were calculated on a flat-rate basis. This procedure is, in the future, being replaced by an individual calculation of the noise-related fees in each case. This will be calculated according to the actual level of noise measured for every single take-off and every single landing.

Guido Beermann, Minister for Infrastructure and State Development:

“This regulation is intended to create a greater incentive for the deployment of quieter aircraft and for the quieter usage of the aircraft. This is a further step towards effective noise protection for the citizens residing in the vicinity of the airport. This is because airlines whose machines fly more quietly are required to pay less than those who operate with particularly loud aircraft – and not on a flat-rate basis, but based upon each individual flight.“ 

Aletta von Massenbach, Chief Executive Officer of Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH:

“We are delighted that the system developed by us for the differentiated calculation of the noise-related fees has now been approved. The new methodology creates a financial incentive for the airlines to fly as quietly as possible. This does not only refer to the deployment of the machines, but also to the use of appropriate flight procedures for the minimisation of noise. Our neighbours profit first and foremost from the results: the new regulation will contribute to a reduction of noise for all local residents.” 

Background: 

For every take-off and every landing, airlines are required to pay fees to the airport in question. The amount of those fees depends upon many factors – the weight of the aircraft deployed, the number of passengers, the time of day and the noise levels emitted by the machine. For German airports, the legislator prescribes that the calculation of the airport fees must include a noise component. The airport fees for the usage of the services and facilities that are related to the illumination, the take-offs, landings and parking of aircraft, as well as to the processing of passengers and freight, are to be approved by the licensing authorities of the Federal States.

Airport Charges