The expansion of the aircraft noise monitoring network at Berlin Brandenburg Airport has been completed. As of June, there are four new monitoring stations along the southern runway. They are located on Havellandstraße in Zeuthen, An der Fähre in Niederlehme, Am Bauerndamm in Genshagen, and on Straße der Einheit in Groß Machnow.
30 stationary measuring stations at BER document aircraft noise.
Overall, aircraft noise is now documented for all takeoffs and landings at BER using 30 stationary measuring stations. In addition, the airport company conducts mobile aircraft noise measurements on a monthly basis, rotating between different locations.
All measuring stations are equipped with special microphones installed several meters above the ground. Measurements are recorded every second, around the clock. From this data, the maximum noise level per overflight, as well as the continuous noise level per day, night, month, and year, are determined. All measurement data can be accessed online.
quieter aircraft are used
The measuring stations are also needed for collecting noise-related charges. Higher costs for airlines using noisier aircraft models provide an incentive to use more modern and quieter aircraft. This also gives priority to particularly low-noise approach and departure procedures, which in turn reduces noise pollution for residents near BER airport.
To further reduce aircraft noise in the surrounding area, the alternating operation of the two runways will continue until further notice. In June, takeoffs and landings will resume on the southern runway at BER.
Alternating use of the two runways at BER
Michael Halberstadt, Managing Director of Human Resources at Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH: “The airport company is making intensive efforts to keep noise pollution for local residents as low as possible. The alternating use of the two runways since April contributes significantly to this. With the dense network of measuring stations and public access to the data, we are creating a high degree of transparency. This will help to further develop the issue of noise protection on an objective basis. This also includes our planned system of noise-related charges for airlines, which rewards quiet flying.”
