Frankfurt Airport’s new flight paths could ease noise for city residents

Residents in Mainz and Wiesbaden might finally get quieter nights—but at what cost? The airport’s bold plan shifts the noise burden elsewhere.

, and Administrator

2025 November 19 . 3:10 PM

1 min read

In the picture we can see an airport waiting hall with some people sitting on the chairs, and some... — In the picture we can see an airport waiting hall with some people sitting on the chairs, and some people are walking and holding bags and in the background, we can see glass walls and some pillars and some people are talking on the mobile phones, and to the ceiling we can see the lights.

Frankfurt Airport’s new flight paths could ease noise for city residents

A proposed change to flight paths at Frankfurt Airport aims to cut noise for residents in nearby cities. The plan would reroute aircraft south of densely populated areas like Mainz, Offenbach, and Hanau before their final approach. Officials will vote on the measure this Wednesday at the Frankfurt Airport Noise Commission meeting.

The new procedure, known as the 'segmented approach,' seeks to reduce noise exposure for people living in Mainz, Offenbach, Hanau, Darmstadt, and Wiesbaden. Under the plan, planes would avoid flying directly over these cities, instead circling to the south before landing. While this would lower noise levels in urban areas, it would shift the burden to less populated surrounding communities.

The Noise Commission’s decision on Wednesday will determine whether the segmented approach becomes a fixed part of Frankfurt Airport’s operations. If approved, the measure would permanently alter flight routes to reduce noise in major cities. However, nearby rural areas would experience increased overflights as a result.