Aircraft noise

In Switzerland, around 80,000 people are affected by aircraft noise exceeding the limit values - mostly near major airports and military airfields. Because aircraft noise spreads from above to cover a large area, measures can only be applied to the aircraft itself or to airport operations.

Civil aircraft have become quieter due to technological developments over recent decades, and noise-related landing and take-off fees at airports have been introduced to encourage use of these quieter aircraft. The number of people affected can also be reduced by choosing different flight paths.

Although modern aircraft have become quieter, noise from air traffic is increasing in some places. As aircraft noise spreads from above to cover large areas, the only practicable way to combat noise is to make changes to airport operations. There are several different approaches to this:

Measures against aircraft noise

Night flying ban

Non-commercial flights are prohibited to take off or land between 10pm and 6am. Restrictions on commercial flights at international airports are less strict. Scheduled operations are permitted until 11pm at Zurich Airport and until midnight at Geneva Airport, with an extension of half an hour for delayed flights. However, even at these two national airports, aircraft are not allowed to take off or land before 6am.

Operating regulations

All aerodromes have approved operating regulations that specify the times during which air operations are permitted. The regulations may also stipulate additional measures to limit emissions, such as prohibiting noisy aircraft at certain times.

Planning the development of aerodromes

The Sectoral Aviation Infrastructure Plan (SAIP) sets the framework for structural and operational development at individual aerodromes. Particular care is taken to avoid flight paths over residential areas and noise-sensitive locations wherever possible. Sectoral Aviation Infrastructure Plan (SAIP)

Noise-related take-off and landing fees

Noise-related take-off and landing fees encourage use of low-noise aircraft types.

Emission limit values for aircraft

The limit values and regulations for determining aircraft noise emission measurements are set out in the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Convention on International Civil Aviation.

Minimum flight altitudes

The minimum flight altitude is 300 metres above towns and densely populated areas and 150 metres in other areas.

Soundproof windows as a substitute measure

Near airports it is often not possible to comply with the exposure limits because the required measures would restrict operations too severely. In these cases, the enforcement authorities can grant the airport operator concessions from complying with the limit values. Soundproof windows are then installed in affected properties as a replacement measure. Since the airport operator is responsible for the noise, he must pay the costs for this substitution measure.

Enforcement authorities

The Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) is responsible for enforcing the legal regulations for civil aviation, and the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) is responsible for enforcing those for military aviation. They are supported by the FOEN, as the federal noise protection agency.