Noise alarm in Mörfelden: New flight route causes excitement!

Noise alarm in Mörfelden: New flight route causes excitement!

The new “Cindy S” flight route is causing heated emotions at Frankfurt Airport. The change, which went into test operation on July 10, 2025, replaces the previous “Amtix short” route and is intended to reduce noise for residents above Darmstadt. But the citizens of Mörfelden-Walldorf are anything but enthusiastic. They report a significant increase in aircraft noise, especially in the south of their city. So it came as no surprise that Mayor Thomas Winkler (Greens) expressed his dissatisfaction and pointed out previous promises that the local area would be spared from noise pollution.

In the first five days of introducing the new route, the city received 35 complaints, many from the same residents. “It's worse than before,” said a concerned citizen confronted with the noise. The new flight route now runs between the districts of Wixhausen and Erzhausen and flies over less densely populated areas, which, according to the Airport and Region Forum (FFR), could lead to greater external pollution, while German Air Traffic Control (DFS) rejects these allegations. She attributes the increase in noise to the holiday season and the associated increase in air traffic.

Surveillance and monitoring

The city has announced that it will evaluate the results of its municipal noise measurement stations and carry out comprehensive monitoring measures for a year. During the test operation, the flight tracks are recorded and noise events are precisely evaluated. Additional mobile noise measurements are also already being planned.

Residents from Arheilgen and Kranichstein, who are particularly affected, report reduced noise pollution. This shows that the effects of the new route are perceived very differently. The test operation is scheduled to last one year in order to obtain a comprehensive picture of the situation.

What's next?

The city administration has given citizens the opportunity to submit aircraft noise complaints to the city's environmental office, the aircraft noise commissioner for the state of Hesse or to the aircraft noise complaints office at Frankfurt Airport. It remains to be seen how the complaints will develop over the course of the test operation and whether the goals set for noise reduction over Darmstadt can actually be achieved.

Some Messel residents have also pointed out illegal overflights in which pilots appear to be trying to save time by flying below the minimum altitude. This minimum altitude is 6,000 feet for jets and 3,500 feet for propeller aircraft. The discussion about the new “Cindy S” route is just another chapter in the long history of noise controversies at Frankfurt Airport.

The debate about aircraft noise shows once again how important communication between residents and airport operators is. Especially at a time when environmental protection and quality of life are becoming increasingly important, citizens' concerns must be taken seriously. Current complaints and the evaluation of the noise measuring stations will be crucial to what happens at Frankfurt Airport in the coming months.

For more information, interested readers can read the articles from FNP and Hesse show see. The site also offers Airplane noise comprehensive data and facts on this topic.