Euro Airport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg
Significantly fewer take-offs after 23:00 at EuroAirport – measures are proving effective
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Since February 1, 2022, the following has been in effect at EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg: aircraft must leave their parking position for take-off by 23:00 at the latest. As a result, the number of flights taking off after 23:00 has decreased significantly - in 2024, it was over 60% lower than in 2019, and in the first seven months of 2025, it was even more than 70% lower.
Thanks to close cooperation with the airlines, increased noise-related charges and regulatory enforcement, the actions taken are proving effective: from January to July 2025, take-offs after 23:00 decreased by more than 30% in comparison to 2024. An even more obvious trend can be noticed when it comes to the time at which an aircraft leaves its parking position: -95% compared to 2019. Delayed departures are only permissible if the airline is not responsible for the delay.
Key findings
- 60% fewer take-offs after 23:00 (runway time) in 2024 compared to 2019
- 30% fewer take-offs Jan–Jul 2025 compared to 2024 à > 70% fewer compared to 2019
- Around 80% of the remaining departures after 23:00 take place in the first 15 minutes
- At the time of leaving its parking position: -95% departures Jan–Jul 2025 compared to 2019
- Since June 2025: 35% fewer flights in the last quarter hour before 23:00
- Additional incentives: increased noise-related charges during night hours since 2024, further tightened in 2025; fines from the competent French regulatory authority ACNUSA > 3.7 million € by June 2025
Impact on the noise situation
EuroAirport's strategy focuses on the nighttime period (22:00 to 06:00). North of the Airport, noise levels between 23:00 and 24:00 decreased by more than 6 dB(A) since 2019, and in the south by 1.5 dB(A)*. Further measures to reduce noise pollution in the south are being examined.
Noise Pollution Report 2024
In parallel with today's media release, EuroAirport is publishing its Noise Pollution Report for 2024. As Switzerland’s third national airport, EuroAirport is required to periodically provide evidence of noise pollution that occurs above Swiss territory. In addition, the Airport has voluntarily calculated the noise exposure every year since 2019, after the immission limits were exceeded for the first time.
The current Noise Pollution Report confirms an improvement
The current Noise Pollution Report shows a significant improvement compared to previous years, even though the immission limit values (ILV) over Swiss territory continue to be exceeded between 22:00 and 24:00.
• 28% fewer commercial departures after 23:00 compared to 2023 (vs. 2019: –60%)
• 49% fewer people in Switzerland affected by ILV exceedances
• No shift in flight movements from the second nighttime hour (23:00-24:00) to the first nighttime hour (22:00-23:00.); the level remained stable.
The findings confirm that the measures implemented in 2024 - increased noise-related charges in the nighttime period and the rescheduling of flights - are having an impact, although the situation has not yet been completely resolved during all time slots. The noise-related charges, which have been tightened once more again since January 2025, as well as further measures set out in the Noise Prevention Plan (PPBE) are intended to contribute to further noise pollution reduction.
Outlook
EuroAirport is continuing its dialogue with the airlines and carrying out the measures set out in the PPBE, such as the mandatory use of the least noisy departure procedure NADP-1 since October 2024 as well as the revision of departure procedures.
Tobias Markert, Managing Director of the Airport: “The figures show that the combination of rules, incentives and cooperation shows a significant impact. At the same time, we are aware that further action is needed to gradually reduce the existing ILV exceedances above Swiss territory. We are consistently pursuing this goal - with the objective of further improving night-time tranquillity for local residents.”
* According to our noise measuring stations located in Bartenheim (F) and Allschwil (CH).
Further information about EuroAirport: www.euroairport.com
Contact:
EuroAirport
Manuela WITZIG
Head of Communication and Public Affairs
BP 60120
CH-4030 Basel
+41 (0)61 325 35 45
On-call duty (during weekends): +33 (0)6 32 63 37 87
Flughafen Basel-Mulhouse | Postfach | CH-4030 Basel Aéroport Bâle-Mulhouse | BP 60120 | F-68304 Saint-Louis Cedex