Problems of land occupation near airports in relation to environmental protection

Ecology in every mode of transport is one of the main challenges for both designers and users of means of transport. Air transport also has a negative impact on the natural environment to a significant extent. This is due to greenhouse gas emissions, noise, energy consumption as well as land occupancy. Unlike other modes of transport, airports are concentrated in one place and not in a vast area, such as a network of roads (motorways) or railways. Airports are located in points, but they have a significant impact on the local environment, e.g., through changes in the landscape. Their area is significant, often exceeding 5 km2, and for the correct performance of air operations, this area must be flattened, devoid of trees and shrubs, and additionally it is fenced and inaccessible to both people and animals. The problem of land occupancy, due to the increasingly accurate analysis of the impact of air transport on the environment, is gaining in importance. The article presents the issue of land occupation in the vicinity of the airport, with particular emphasis on private land on the example of the Katowice-Pyrzowice airport.