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Frankfurt-Main airport is hit by shock night ban ruling T


HE LONG-RUNNING saga of how many night-time flights are allowed to operate through Frankfurt-Main airport took a


dramatic turn in October, when the local Hesse state court ruled to ban all scheduled movements at the gateway between 2300 and 0500 hours. The administrative court’s decision


came about as the result of a challenge made by local residents to Frankfurt’s building of a fourth runway. The inauguration of the new runway took place on 21 October, with the ban coming into effect at the start of the northern winter timetable on 30 October. A spokesman for Fraport, the gateway’s operating authority, said


that the decision had come as a complete surprise to the operator and other stakeholders in the airport’s operations. He noted that the fourth runway, which is 2,800 metres long and will handle only landings, was never intended for night flights anyway. The spokesman was also quick to point out that the


judgement of the Hesse court will be superseded by any subsequent ruling made by Germany’s highest federal administrative high court in Leipzig, which is expected to announce its decision in early 2012. In a statement, Fraport observed


that the decision will mean “cancellation of some internationally coordinated slots already allocated to airlines”. The statement noted: “This creates a very


difficult situation for the airlines, the cargo shippers, Fraport and, of course, passengers – and it has implications for the worldwide network of flight connections.” Lufthansa Cargo, the operator with the most at stake in regard to


night-flying through Frankfurt, also made its dismay at developments clear, describing not only the decision but also its timing – so near to the opening of the winter schedule – as both surprising and shocking. The freight carrier said it was forced to work “24 hours a day” to change flight schedules for the winter season.


AIR LOGISTICS CHINA


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