Blockade campaign against Leipzig/Halle Airport expansion plans (July 9, 2024)
The 500 million euro expansion of Leipzig/Halle cargo airport was given the go-ahead on Monday by the Saxon government in a planning approval decision. What does that mean?
Anything that puts a strain on the area will increase. Older and noisier DHL freighters, for example. The expansion will see a 50 percent increase in takeoffs and landings by 2030. That means more noise, particulate matter pollution and greenhouse gases. In addition, not only will an area equivalent to about 30 football fields be sealed, but truck traffic in the area around the airport will also increase significantly. The expansion will also mean losses for the operator, Mitteldeutsche Flughafen AG, MFAG: DHL. As the main user, DHL will not pay a fee to cover the costs, so it will have to contribute up to 30 million euros in tax revenue.
Why does DHL charge such low fees?
DHL has signed an agreement with MFAG that stipulates these low fees. This is a strong location advantage for the courier service. DHL also has no CO2 limits. The group has attracted the attention of the CDU, ostensibly to create jobs and economic growth in the eastern region.
There were over 8,000 formal legal objections to the expansion. Why was it still approved?
The expansion permit is a political decision of the state government. Environmental policy considerations, for example, may have played no role or may have been limited to lizard relocation requirements. Homes and properties of those particularly affected by the noise will also be purchased. This is a continuation of the displacement known in Kursdorf, a community surrounded by airport expansion. The same ruthlessness is evident as in the displacement through lignite mining.
What have you done so far about the planned expansion? We remember the blockade three years ago. But that blockade was not without consequences…
There is a small but active opposition movement consisting of citizens’ initiatives against night flights, petitions, opposition, and climate groups focusing on parliamentary issues. In July 2021, access to the DHL Leipzig hub was blocked. Since then, the activists have been struggling with legal charges from the prosecutor’s office. What is unfortunately a hindrance to motivation is that residents are largely resigned to passive noise measures. The propaganda that DHL carries out should not be underestimated. With biomonitoring, flowery meadows for bees, energy-efficient transport vehicles, and clever internal communication, DHL is positioning itself as a promising employer and an asset to the region.
What happens next?
It is impossible for an extension application, four years later, to ignore the court ruling and assessment of the climate damage that has occurred since then. Therefore, we are starting a new round of activation within the opposition to the extension and will make our protests public. However, we know that only legal action can overturn a decision. Since the courts are involved in social power relations, the lawsuit must be accompanied by a public outcry. We are currently collecting donations to fund the lawsuit.
Protests are taking place in several cities across Germany against various airport expansion projects. What can we learn from others who have been affected?
Fortunately, we are well connected with other airport residents in Germany. They all share the same fate. The expansion of aviation is for the benefit of profit-oriented companies and is justified by lies about job growth and important regional development. Therefore, the prospects for success for the opponents of expansion are limited. However, our demand remains: no expansion, no night flights and no modifications!
