The airport operator submitted a noise protection concept for residents in the South of Zurich Airport to the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA). The concept includes the installation of automated closing devices for bedroom windows in specified properties. These properties are located in a certain geographical sector and are directly affected by approaches on Runway 34. Noise calculations show that closed windows sufficiently prevent awakening reactions under the current noise exposure.

The perimeter for this so-called “noise protection concept south” („Schutzkonzept Süd“) involves around 1’300 properties in the municipal territory of Opfikon-Glattbrugg, Wallisellen, Zurich and Dübendorf. The incurred costs are covered by the noise insulation provisions.

The installation work will be executed gradually by region and shall be completed within two years. Some of the properties have already been equipped with noise-absorbing windows in the context of the ordinary sound insulation programme “Programme 2010” of Flughafen Zürich AG. Therefore, these properties are already sufficiently protected from excessive aircraft noise and will not be equipped with additional window - closing devices.

Background
Seven years after Flughafen Zürich AG submitted its provisional operating regulation, today’s air traffic has been based on legally solid ground with the final judgement of the Swiss Federal Court on December 22, 2010. Among other provisions, the Swiss Federal Court required Flughafen Zürich AG to present a noise protection concept for residents in the South of Zurich Airport, in addition to the already existing sound insulation programme “Programme 2010”. The residents in the South shall be protected from awakening reactions due to approaches from the South in the morning hours. Flughafen Zürich AG accordingly submitted a noise protection concept to FOCA on December 16, 2011. FOCA will publish the mentioned concept on February 27, 2012. The appeal period starts on the same day and lasts until March 28, 2012.