Active noise protection

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Did you know?

According to the latest analyses by the German Federal Environment Agency, road noise inflicted mean continuous sound levels of above 55 dB(A) on 10.2 million people across Germany, railway noise of the same level affected 6.2 million people, while aircraft noise affected 738,000 people.

In contrast to other major airports, Munich Airport has performed very well thanks to the excellent conditions at the site: At Munich Airport, the proportion of people who live in the area around
the airport and are affected by aircraft noise is around five percent of the comparable group at Frankfurt Airport and as little as one percent of those near London-Heathrow Airport.

(Source: German Federal Environment Agency 2015)

People affected by aircraft noise
People affected by aircraft noise

Low-noise approach procedures

Currently, a number of active anti-noise measures are being discussed and reviewed that should reduce or prevent noise in the area around the airport or spread its impact more favorably.

Munich Airport currently gives a few airlines the chance to land according to an optimized descent profile. With these continuous descent operations (CDO), the aircraft's engines are set to minimal power (they should be idling, ideally) during the descent and any horizontal flight phases are avoided if at all possible. This reduces noise levels by up to 6 dB (A) due to the higher
crossing height in contrast to standard operations. This approach also reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Landing charges: quiet equals cheap

Munich Airport can influence the type of aircraft used by ensuring its landing charges depend on noise levels. Airlines using quiet aircraft benefit from a charges system based on a broad sliding scale.

Quiet aircraft models

By operating new and advanced aircraft types, airlines can significantly reduce aircraft noise emissions, and especially the peak noise events. This reduces the impact of aircraft noise in the region around Munich Airport.

  • A320neo
    On January 25, 2016, the first scheduled service with the Airbus A320neo was launched at Munich Airport. The "new engine option" behind the "neo" designation refers to the high-bypass geared turbofan engine used on this advanced aircraft. With this entirely new engine architecture, the noise level can be reduced by half. The high-efficiency also results in 15 percent fuel savings and thus an equivalent reduction in CO2 emissions. With its enhanced engine technology and aerodynamics, the A320neo is currently the quietest and most efficient aircraft serving short and medium-haul routes at Munich Airport.
  • The new A350 is also equipped with this innovative engine technology. Lufthansa launched a scheduled service from Munich to Delhi in February 2017. The first 10 A350s delivered to Lufthansa will be stationed in Munich. An additional 15 jets are on order. These aircraft are gradually replacing the A340.
  • A320neo
    Noise footprint of an A350 as compared to an A340-600/-300.

Pre-Conditioned Air (PCA)-Anlagen

Conditioned cabin air for parked aircraft at Munich Airport is provided by 64 pre-conditioned air systems. This eliminates the need for the auxiliary power units (APUs) used in the past, and especially the related noise, not to mention the unnecessary fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

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Engine test runs
Engine test runs can be a significant source of noise on the ground. To avoid this nuisance, these tests are always carried out in a special noise protection hall at Munich Airport. This structure blocks the noise, limiting its impact on the surrounding area.

Noise protection programs

The two previous noise protection programs implemented at Munich Airport are based on the planning permission ruling for Munich Airport of July 8, 1979, as amended in the 47th amended planning permission ruling of February 28, 1995, and the amended night flight regulation of March 23, 2001.

Under these noise protection programs, Munich Airport has implemented extensive noise protection measures for the affected parties in the airport region to ensure that noise levels exceeding 55 dB(A) do not occur in the interior of rooms when windows are closed. Approximately 4,300 buildings / residential units were provided with noise protection, i.e. special windows
and ventilation systems, and compensation was provided for the impact on outdoor areas.

To date, this has resulted in investments of about 62 million euros in noise protection measures by Munich Airport. The noise protection programs are now complete.

Daytime/nighttime protection zone

Daytime and night-time control zone
With the change to the night flight regulation, the night flight area was expanded and classified as a combined daytime/nighttime protection zone in combination with the existing daytime protection zone.