During take-off and landing aircrafts emit pollutants such as NOx (nitrogen oxides) and HC (unburnt hydrocarbon). Both pollutants are precursor substances of the so-called summer-smog and are considered to contribute – in addition to other emission sources – to local environment problems in the vicinity of airports. In order to restrict these pollutants emission-related landing fees for the first time have been charged at selected German airports in January 2008.
The implementation of these fees aims at the improvement of the local air quality on German airports. The institute Air Transport and Airport Research was significantly involved in the conception and the analysis of the economic effects of these fees. They are to be tested during a trial phase of three years (2008-2010). During this trial phase FW act as independent institution in order to guarantee a competition-neutral implementation of these fees at selected German airports. For this purpose a central, engine-related data base, which will be continuously updated, is made available to the airports for the calculation of the fees. Mid 2009 more than 19,000 aircrafts have been collected in this data base.
Emission-related Landing Fees (Download PDF)