- Professor Johann-Dietrich Wörner
Chairman of the ARF, Chairman of the Board of the German Aerospace Center:
“After the Mediation process and the Regional Dialogue Forum, the Airport and Region Forum has a central role to play. As a non-party but not impartial institution, the ARF should bring the various interests together in constructive dialogue, while allowing the clarification of technical matters. The discussions over the last ten years have shown that air traffic noise plays a central role.
Accordingly, in the initial phase the Airport and Region Forum focussed on the issue of noise and worked, on the one hand, in terms of noise monitoring, and on the other hand, in terms of providing ideas for the systematic reduction of noise through active noise abatement measures.
However, this prioritisation must not cause us to neglect or ignore other aspects which are causing concern due to the expansion of the airport. Any such extensive infrastructural measure leads to a wide range of effects which deserve to be treated seriously.
Due to its special composition the ARF can play an important role in giving voice to the various interests. At the same time it is important to be reminded again that the ARF does not have any formal power, but has to assert itself with qualified work results. This applies in particular when activities outside of the forum are criticised by either side and used as an excuse to call the work of the ARF into question. Engaging in dialogue when the general conditions are positive is easy. The ability to engage in dialogue and targeted-oriented representation of interests is only really put to the test when difficulties arise.
Thus, for example, the announcement of the ARF that it will not take part in dialogue is not a good instrument for protesting against decisions of the state government with regard to the prohibition on night flights. Rather, if the ARF tried to make a clear statement on the mediation package, this would give it a stronger position.
I hope that in the future the ARF grows into its role as an information provider but also takes consideration of the various interests so that it receives the notice that it deserves.”
- Oliver Quilling
Chairman of the ARF, District Administrator of Offenbach:
“A blossoming economic area such as the Rhine-Main region represents a challenge for political decision-makers because a blossoming economy which creates work for many also causes greater environmental problems. This applies in particular for Frankfurt Airport, whose positive effects extend far beyond the region, but whose environmental impact – particularly air traffic noise – can be just as far-reaching.
We must, therefore, find an appropriate balance in the region in which the airport is not restricted in its function as an international air traffic hub by conditions and controls, but which also protects the people who live in the region from damage to health and unreasonable irritation.
As District Administrator I am of course concerned to protect the interests of the citizens in trying to find this balance.
Since 1998 (in uninterrupted succession) I was part of the Mediation process and the “Regional Dialogue Forum Frankfurt Airport” which resulted from it.
During the first year of the successor project “Airport and Region Forum” I noticed that the main protagonists in the forum, the aviation side and the communities, were able to reach agreement in technical matters to a much greater extent than before. This applies in particular to the current project “Active noise abatement” – reduction of noise at the source.
For the ARF I therefore have hopes that the balance between a prospering airport and the protection of the population against unreasonable environmental impact will succeed.”
- Dr. Stefan Schulte
Chairman of the ARF, Chairman of the Board of Fraport AG:
“The ARF stands for transparent information, constructive dialogue and results-oriented solution competence regarding the positive and negative impacts on the Rhine-Main region and its population associated with Frankfurt Airport and its expansion.
In dialogue between the various parties ways have to be found of allowing the growth of aviation in a modern mobility society, while uncompromisingly striving to achieve possible reductions of the burdens on the residents and the environment around the airport.
Alongside the Umwelt- und Nachbarschaftshaus and the Convent, the ARF offers the right platforms for information and dialogue. The expert groups are working with great commitment on solutions in active noise abatement for the citizens of this region, the noise index now has to be filled with life. These are the main challenges for the ARF in the near future.”
- Martin Gaebges
Secretary General of the Board of Airline Representatives
in Germany e.V. (BARIG):“BARIG is also looking forward to active support in the expansion of Frankfurt Airport from the new Airport and Region Forum as the successor to the Regional Dialogue Forum.
For our around 100 members the Rhine-Main Airport is THE gateway to Germany and to the international route network. Without uncompromising expansion – always taking into account reasonable night flight arrangements – Germany is at risk of losing its international competitiveness. The competition in Europe and the Middle East is simply too great.
Expansion is therefore a matter which is close to the heart of BARIG and its members, always taking into consideration of course the interests of the region and its people. This includes, for example, an active noise abatement program which should be quickly implemented in practice in accordance with the Mediation process.
Personal details:
As secretary general since 1999, Martin Gaebges has been handling the affairs of BARIG, the association of around 100 national and international airlines in Germany.
- Dr. Karl-Rudolf Rupprecht
Former Head of Hub Management Frankfurt,
Deutsche Lufthansa AG:“With the Expert Committee on Active Noise Abatement a committee has been created which can work together on a trusting and results-oriented basis. This fulfils an official function of the Airport and Region Forum, i.e. the elaboration of measures for the abatement of air traffic noise. As the largest airline at the international aviation hub Frankfurt, Lufthansa is involved in this group, contributing aviation and technical know-how.
The Umwelt- und Nachbarschaftshaus is ideal for making the dialogue process and the results of the work of the expert committee transparent to the citizens. It is extremely important here that the various aspects of the airport are represented in a balanced manner. Alongside a transparent representation of the air traffic noise burden with the aid of the Frankfurt Air Traffic Noise Index, this also includes the representation of the outstanding economic importance of the airport. Overall, the dialogue held between all parties in the Airport and Region Forum is making an important contribution towards shaping the future of the region.”
Personal details:
Dr. Karl-Rudolf Rupprecht, former Head of Hub Management Frankfurt, Deutsche Lufthansa AG.
- Christel Karesch
Chairperson of the citizens’ initiative PRO Airport:
“The citizens’ initiative PRO Airport regards the Airport and Region Forum (ARF) as a committee for a constructive and critical dialogue on all issues surrounding the airport. As an international hub, Frankfurt Airport is the engine for economic development in the region Frankfurt/Rhine-Main, but also a source of problems for the local residents.
We are working with commitment and expertise in the interests of the residents. PRO expects the ARF to elaborate constructive proposals taking into account the sustainability in terms of ecological, economic and social considerations. Anyone who reduces the airport to the subject of “noise” has failed to recognise or is denying the economic importance of the airport for the people in the region and beyond. “Adding value by respecting values” – if the ARF keeps its eye on this aim in its diverse tasks, then the commitment of every individual member will be worthwhile – also for us from the citizens’ initiative PRO Airport.”
Personal details:
Christel J. M. Karesch is chairperson of the citizens’ initiative PRO Airport. She has been a member of the citizens’ initiative since June 2000 and has been chairperson since then. In 2010 the citizens’ initiative celebrates its tenth anniversary.
- Thomas Jühe
“As chairperson of the Frankfurt Air Traffic Noise Commission, my participation in the Airport and Region Forum is focussed mainly on noise abatement. For decades far too little attention has been paid to air traffic noise and its impact on the quality of life and the health of the people in the region.
Unfortunately there is no adequate legal basis for active noise abatement, i.e. the reduction of noise at the source. We have to finally achieve permanently effective noise abatement and open up a real perspective for improved quality of life for highly-burdened residents around the airport.
Politicians, the aviation industry and those affected by noise must engage in constructive cooperation to create a tolerable situation for the region in terms of the advantages and disadvantages associated with air traffic operations. Anyone who does not take this challenge seriously, whether community representatives, politicians or representatives of the aviation industry, is recklessly condemning us to an increasingly noisy society in the future.”
Personal details:
Thomas Jühe, born in 1963 in Frankfurt am Main, has been Mayor of the city of Raunheim since 2000. He has been working as chairperson of the Frankfurt Air Traffic Noise Commission since 2003.
- Peter Gebauer
"Rhine-Main Airport: Magnet for investment and economic growth. Guarantee of secure jobs and prosperity in the metropolitan region of Rhine-Main. But also: the cause of noise emissions with a direct influence on the quality of life and living of the people in the surroundings towns and communities. The elementary function of the Airport and Region Forum (ARF) is to moderate a dialogue between the interest groups involved. The expert committee on Active Noise Abatement supports these efforts through technical discussion and methodical, scientific examination of noise-abatement measures on the ground and in the air. The work of the committee up to now has been based on trust, mutual respect and the obvious will of all involved to achieve an effective and sustainable reduction in air traffic noise.
The Umwelt- und Nachbarschaftshaus of the ARF supports the expert committee in its work and will prepare what is often complex material in an illustrative manner for the citizens. It thus makes an important contribution towards making complex interactions transparent and comprehensible, thus increasing the acceptance of the Airport and Region Forum."
Personal details:
Peter Gebauer, Director Business Unit Tower, DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH