Stuttgart Airport ranks seventh among Germany’s major airports. In 2024, it handled 9.14 million passengers. Growth was +8.5% compared to the previous year. 94,177 flight movements were recorded. This was +2.3% compared to the previous year. The airport’s turnover was €278 million. The airline with the most passengers (2023) is Eurowings with a 40.2% market share.
Despite the ban on night flights, there are numerous noise complaints, especially at the beginning and end of the day, largely due to a new flight procedure that affects tens of thousands of citizens who are now exposed to aircraft noise. The spreading out of departures after takeoff also creates new overflight areas. This explains the increase in noise complaints. The recommendations of the Aircraft Noise Commission (FLK) to abandon the new flight procedure were not accepted and therefore not implemented. Even a compromise proposal by the FLK was not implemented.
The Schutzgemeinschaft Filder e.V. (Filder Protection Association) is one of the oldest citizens’ initiatives in Germany and has been working on a voluntary basis for many years to address issues relating to aircraft noise and environmental pollution at the airport. Shortly after its foundation in 1967, it succeeded in preventing the expansion of the airport into a major hub with three runways. In 2008, the construction of a second runway was halted with the support of the local population. In various campaigns, the Schutzgemeinschaft calls on the population to fly less and switch to environmentally friendly means of transport in order to reduce growth at the airport. The Schutzgemeinschaft holds the seat of the Federal Association Against Aircraft Noise (BVF) in the airport’s aircraft noise commission. However, it is on its own in many positions and rarely receives support from the participating mayors around the airport.
The association organizes ongoing measurements of ultra-fine dust. It is attempting to raise public awareness of the problem of particulate matter.
In 2019, students from the University of Stuttgart, in collaboration with the LUBW and the Filder Protection Association, measured high levels of ultra-fine dust around the airport as part of a master’s thesis. Measures to combat this, such as continuous measurement or remediation using a kerosene desulfurization plant, have not yet been implemented. This has not been an issue for the FLK either.
The city of Stuttgart and the state of Baden-Württemberg are the airport’s largest shareholders and are endeavouring to keep the airport’s annual deficits within limits with the support of growth strategies. Fine dust and aircraft noise are of secondary importance.
The Filder Protection Association will continue to be the voice of those who vigorously oppose aircraft noise, environmental pollution, and land consumption around Stuttgart Airport with a wide range of activities carried out by its 600 members.
Photo: Holger1974