The planned expansion of Leipzig/Halle Airport continues to cause legal disputes. This week, a deadline for formally substantiating the lawsuits against the so-called planning approval decision, which had given the green light to the expansion of the airport, expired.
The environmental association BUND and a number of other plaintiffs, including the city of Schkeuditz, several businesses and private individuals, have continued to pursue their lawsuits. A spokesman for the Saxon Higher Administrative Court in Bautzen announced that all of the lawsuits filed were deemed justified and that the proceedings would now continue. Legal clarification as to whether the expansion plans are in line with climate, nature and environmental protection law is now awaited.
Background of the project: Expansion into a freight hub
The planned expansion measures at Leipzig/Halle Airport include investments of 500 million euros, which are to be borne by Mitteldeutsche Flughafen AG, the airport's operator. The aim of the project is to improve air cargo handling capacity. The airport, which is located on the border between Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, is already one of the most important air cargo hubs in Europe. After London Heathrow, Leipzig/Halle is the second largest cargo airport in Germany and the fifth largest in Europe.
The expansion should make it possible to significantly increase air freight capacity, which is particularly important for the operator DHL Express. The company plans to further expand the logistics hub at the airport and increase its capacity for worldwide deliveries. Due to its geographical location and existing infrastructure, Leipzig/Halle is an important hub in international mail order. In addition, cargo planes here have night flight permission, which enables operations around the clock.
Lawsuits against the expansion: environmental concerns in focus
However, the BUND (German Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation) and other plaintiffs such as the city of Schkeuditz and several private individuals and businesses have serious concerns about the project. The lawsuits are directed in particular against the planning approval decision that approved the expansion of the airport. The environmental association argues that the expansion of the airport poses a significant risk to climate and environmental protection in the region. A particularly critical point is the increase in air traffic capacity, which, according to the plaintiffs, would lead to an increase in CO2 emissions and a further deterioration in air quality. In addition, the expansion of the airport would lead to an exacerbation of the noise protection problem in the area, as night-time freight traffic in particular leads to considerable noise pollution for residents.
The plaintiffs see another problem in the potential destruction of nature and landscape conservation areas. BUND and other nature conservation organizations fear that valuable ecological habitats could be lost as a result of the expansion. In its lawsuit, BUND cites, among other things, a 400-page document in which the legal and environmental concerns are set out in detail.
The court and the next steps
The Saxon Higher Administrative Court in Bautzen must now clarify whether the expansion of the airport is compatible with existing environmental and nature conservation laws. The court announced that the State Directorate of Saxony now has the opportunity to comment on the reasons submitted. It is currently not possible to predict how long the process will take overall. It is a complex process that could have far-reaching consequences for the expansion of airports and the applicable environmental regulations.
Although the expansion of Leipzig/Halle Airport was approved by the Saxony State Office last September, the final decision on whether the environmentalists' lawsuits will be successful remains to be seen. A verdict could be made in the coming months or even years, as such proceedings are usually lengthy.
freight volume and market development
With regard to the development of freight volumes at Leipzig/Halle Airport, it can be seen that the volume has recently stagnated. In 2023 and 2024, around 1,4 million tonnes of freight were handled. This figure remains below the expectations associated with the planned expansion of capacities. Nevertheless, Leipzig/Halle remains an important hub for international trade, especially for the shipping sector. The planned expansion is intended to help increase this volume and ensure the airport's competitiveness in the international market.
The expansion of Leipzig/Halle Airport remains a controversial project that polarizes both the regional economy and environmentalists. While the airport operator and logistics companies are counting on an expansion to increase their capacity and secure international trade, nature conservation organizations and residents are critical of the project. The proceedings before the Saxon Higher Administrative Court are expected to provide a groundbreaking ruling for future airport expansion projects.
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