OREANDA-NEWS. On 18 June, the new noise protection hangar for conducting engine tests at Zurich Airport was inaugurated. The new noise protection hangar is a major step towards improving the noise situation in the long term, especially during the night.

The inauguration of the new noise protection hangar concludes a year-long process aimed at improving the noise situation during engine testing at Zurich Airport. After maintenance work or an engine change, the engines have to undergo a function test. They are operated at different levels while the aircraft is standing.

In order to minimise noise for the surrounding municipalities and in accordance with the approval of the operating regulations in force since 2011, Flughafen Zьrich AG was obliged to construct a new, state-of-the-art run-up facility to replace the previously used and obsolete noise baffles.

The ground-breaking ceremony for the enclosed noise protection hangar took place on 4 October 2012, and the new facility was inaugurated today in the presence of Ernst Stocker, Member of the Cantonal Government of the Canton of Zurich, Harry Hohmeister, CEO of Swiss International Air Lines and Thomas E. Kern, CEO of Flughafen Zьrich AG as well as around 100 guests from political and business circles. A series of tests will take place in the next few weeks. As soon as the noise protection hangar has commenced operation, the old noise baffles will be dismantled.