Environmentalists and Others Challenge Leipzig/Halle Airport Expansion Plans
Environmental Group BUND and many other plaintiffs are moving forward with their lawsuits against the expansion of Leipzig/Halle Airport. This week, a deadline for formal justification expired. According to a spokesperson for the Saxon Higher Administrative Court, all lawsuits against the so-called planning approval decision of the Saxony Regional Directorate have been substantiated and will be pursued further.
A total of ten lawsuits have been filed against the plans. The BUND state associations of Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt have filed lawsuits, as have the city of Schkeuditz, four business owners, and three private individuals.
The BUND’s lawsuit alone comprises around 400 pages, the environmental association announced. The higher administrative judges must now clarify whether the expansion plans are compatible with climate, nature, and environmental protection laws.
According to information from the Higher Administrative Court (OVG), the Saxony Regional Directorate now has the opportunity to comment. How long the entire process will take cannot be predicted.
In September of last year, the Regional Directorate approved the airport’s expansion. Mitteldeutsche Flughafen AG, the operator, intends to invest 500 million euros. The planned expansion will significantly increase the cargo handling capacity.
Leipzig/Halle Airport, located on the border of Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, is the second-largest cargo airport in Germany and the fifth-largest air cargo hub in Europe. Night flight permission is granted for cargo aircraft. The shipping company DHL Express is planning to expand its logistics hub at the airport.
Recently, air cargo volume in Leipzig has stagnated. According to Mitteldeutsche Flughafen AG, around 1.4 million tons of cargo were handled both in 2023 and 2024.
Arguments Against Expansion:
The plaintiffs argue that the airport’s expansion plans are incompatible with climate protection goals. They contend that the project will lead to increased CO2 emissions and contribute to climate change. Furthermore, they argue that the expansion will have negative effects on the local environment, including noise pollution and air pollution.
Arguments in Favor of Expansion:
The airport operator maintains that the expansion is necessary to meet the growing demand for air cargo services. They argue that the project will create jobs and boost the local economy. Additionally, they argue that the expansion will be implemented in a sustainable manner, with measures in place to minimize environmental impacts.
Legal Process:
The lawsuits have been filed with the Saxon Higher Administrative Court. The court will now review the arguments presented by the plaintiffs and defendants and make a decision on the legality of the airport’s expansion plans. The process is expected to be lengthy and complex, with a final decision potentially taking months or even years.
Conclusion:
The Leipzig/Halle Airport expansion plans have sparked controversy and legal challenges. The outcome of the lawsuits will have significant implications for the future of air cargo in Germany and for the environmental protection of the region. The case is being closely watched by the aviation industry, environmental groups, and residents of the surrounding communities.
