The Swiss Environment and Transport Ministry wants a reduction in airport noise pollution. Its proposals could cost Swiss airports in breech of the noise levels up to SFr1 billion ($630 million) - a price likely to be borne by the passengers.

The Swiss Environment and Transport Ministry wants a reduction in airport noise pollution. Its proposals could cost Swiss airports in breech of the noise levels up to SFr1 billion ($630 million) - a price likely to be borne by the passengers.

Political parties and interest groups have until mid-September to comment on the proposals, which call for a change in federal noise level and air traffic regulations.

The proposals would affect the airports in Zurich, Geneva, and Basel-Mulhouse as well as smaller airports such as Bern-Belp and Lugano-Agno. The new levels are based on recommendations by the Federal Commission dealing with noise levels.

Under the proposals, the average daily noise level limit should not exceed 60 decibels in residential areas. Night-time noise levels are set at a maximum hourly average of 57 decibels.

The Environment Ministry stipulates that protective windows must be installed in nearby residential areas if the limits are exceeded - the costs of such projects would likely be borne by the passengers. The price of a ticket from Geneva to Zurich, for example, would increase by SFr8 ($5), according to government estimates.


Source: sda-ats, APD

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative