From January 1, 2025, planes that take off after 10 p.m. from Geneva airport may be fined. This measure aims to encourage airlines to change their schedules, and thus limit nighttime nuisance for local residents.
Every month, between 600 and 1000 planes pass over the heads of Genevans between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., according to Geneva airport statistics. A niche where traffic is supposed to be limited but that’s without taking into account the delays that planes often have.
From 2025, late departures will therefore have to pay, but not right away. A margin of tolerance is granted via a sort of points permit. The noisier the plane that takes off after 10 p.m., the more points it will lose. Once the quota is exhausted, the fine will be up to 40,000 francs.
A first step that is too tolerant?
Resident associations fear that this system is too tolerant. They also regret that only late takeoffs are taxed. They are certainly the noisiest, but 80% of night flights in the Geneva sky are linked to landings.
Questioned in La Matinale on Wednesday, the president of the Residents’ Association, Alain Rosset, welcomes a first step to improve daily life in the communities located under the planes. “Not only for questions of noise pollution, but also for what we call noise curves which have an impact, particularly on land use planning. For example in Genthod, almost 80% of the town is unbuildable for housing or extremely limited due to noise curves”. However, he remains cautious about the chosen quota system, which remains vague according to him. He fears that airlines could escape sanctions by making excuses for their delays.
>> Reread: A points system to limit nighttime takeoffs will come into force at Geneva airport
Anouk Pernet/lan
Swiss
