Facts
- The court has reviewed the provisional operating regulations (vBR) of Zurich Airport approved by the UIFO on 29 March 2005. This provisional regulation replaces the various previous provisional versions and is intended to apply until the adoption of a "final" set of operating regulations under the Sectoral Aviation Infrastructure Plan (SIL) procedure. - In the absence of a specific Sectoral Aviation Infrastructure Plan (SIL) for Zurich Airport, only the changes to the operating regulations that are necessary to compensate for the unilaterally imposed overflight restrictions by Germany can be approved. Without the Sectoral Plan, no additional capacity increases can be approved. - The court has confirmed the approaches from the south (on runway 34) and the flexibilisation of runway use, insofar as they are necessary to offset the capacity losses caused by the German restrictions. However, it has annulled some provisions for further capacity increases. - Regarding environmental protection issues, particularly noise, the court found that the current aircraft noise limits do not adequately protect the population, especially against morning noise. It has therefore ordered additional noise protection measures, such as an extension of the night-time curfew and a limitation of night flights.Considerations
- The court found that the economic and transport policy interests outweigh the noise protection interests of the local residents in the event of a further extension of the night-time curfew or a limitation of night flights. These measures would have too great an impact…