BERLIN (AP) — A German federal court has upheld a ban on flights between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. at Frankfurt Airport, the country's busiest and one of Europe's major hubs.
The state of Hesse, where the airport is located, originally gave permission for 17 nighttime flights at the airport. But a state court struck that down last year and the Federal Administrative Court upheld the decision on Wednesday.
Frankfurt last year inaugurated a fourth runway as part of efforts to increase its capacity in the face of international competition.
The night flight ban affects flights by the cargo arm of Lufthansa, which uses Frankfurt as its main hub. Airline CEO Christoph Franz described it as "a serious blow to Germany as a location for business."
Lufthansa shares were down nearly 4.5 percent at €10.09 ($13.44).
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