A flight from Japan was ordered to perform a go around at Frankfurt because it was arriving too early

ANA Flight NH203 from Tokyo Haneda arrived in Frankfurt 45 minutes early on July 3, 2025, thanks to favorable winds. However, as it neared Frankfurt Airport, which has a strict landing curfew between 23:00 and 05:00, the air traffic controllers mandated a go-around just before the 05:00 deadline. This decision resulted in a greater noise impact, an additional 16 minutes of flight time, and increased fuel burn by 1,900 kilograms, leading to higher CO₂ emissions than if the plane had landed directly.

A similar incident occurred on June 2, 2025, with a Condor flight, which was diverted to Hahn Airport due to a brief curfew infringement.

In the field of transportation, it is essential to balance operational efficiency and environmental concerns with regulations designed to mitigate noise pollution. While curfews are implemented for good reasons, such as community well-being, the recent incidents highlight the need for more flexible approaches that take into account real-time conditions and the overall environmental impact of decisions made during such tight constraints. A review of these regulations could lead to adaptations that allow for more efficient handling of flights arriving just before curfew without compromising community standards.