The end of a long-standing special arrangement
Anyone who has travelled between Northern Germany and Denmark for many years will remember a special feature of German-Danish air traffic: the so-called „small border traffic“.
This regulation allowed private pilots to fly to certain airfields on both sides of the border without filing a flight plan, even though an international border was being crossed. The necessary information was exchanged by the airfield operators, making border crossings comparatively straightforward for pilots.
This represented a considerable simplification, especially for General Aviation. Short trips to Denmark could be carried out almost as easily as domestic flights within Germany.
Popular flight destinations were directly affected
For many years, numerous airfields in Southern Jutland and on the Danish islands benefited from this special arrangement.
Destinations such as Tønder, Ærø, Lolland, Maribo, or various airfields along the Danish Baltic Sea coast were particularly popular. Many German private pilots took advantage of this opportunity for day trips, weekend getaways, or holiday flights.
The island of Ærø in particular has developed into one of Northern Europe's best-known destinations for general aviation. Its picturesque coastal villages, maritime atmosphere and good accessibility made the island a regular part of flight plans for many private pilots.
Flight schedule now required for most flights
With the changes now published in the aeronautical handbooks of Germany and Denmark, the previous special regulation has been significantly restricted.
For cross-border VFR flights between Germany and Denmark, a flight plan is generally required again today. An exception applies only to flights between Sønderborg (EKSB) and some selected airfields in Schleswig-Holstein.
These include, among others:
- Heide-Büsum (EDXB)
- Kiel-Holtenau (EDHK)
- Flensburg-Schäferhaus (EDXF)
- Sylt (EDXW)
- Wyk on Föhr (EDXY)
- Rendsburg-Schachtholm (EDXR)
- Leck (EDXK)
- Husum-Schwesing (EDXJ)
- St. Michaelisdonn (EDXM)
It is only on these connections that the task of a flight schedule can continue to be dispensed with.
Why the regulation was changed
Official justifications have been published to a limited extent. However, the change fits into a general development within Europe.
In recent years, numerous national special regulations have been progressively harmonised. The aim is to standardise procedures more effectively and to handle cross-border flights according to uniform requirements.
Furthermore, security aspects, search and rescue services, and the increasing digitalisation of air traffic control play a role. A flight plan provides valuable information about the planned route, crew, aircraft, and estimated arrival times. This data can be crucial in an emergency.
Flight plans considerably ease the work of search and rescue services, especially on flights over bodies of water or sparsely populated regions.
The practical implications remain manageable
For many private pilots, however, the actual burden of the new regulation is likely to be low.
Just a few years ago, filing a flight plan often meant extra phone calls, longer preparation times, and a certain amount of bureaucratic effort. Today, flight plans are usually filed directly via electronic flight planning software or apps.
Software solutions such as SkyDemon, ForeFlight, Garmin Pilot, or other flight planning platforms often allow flight plan creation and submission within seconds.
This means the flight schedule obligation loses much of its former dread.
Flying from unoccupied airfields
A special case arises with flights from unoccupied airfields.
The previous special regulation was based in part on managers exchanging and documenting the necessary information. If such an infrastructure is lacking, a corresponding procedure cannot naturally function.
The increasing prevalence of unoccupied airfields and digital processes is therefore also likely to have been a factor contributing to the standardisation of regulations.
Denmark remains one of the most attractive destinations for General Aviation.
Regardless of flight plan requirements, Denmark remains one of the most popular destinations for European private pilots.
Short distances, excellent aviation infrastructure, well-maintained airfields, distinct hospitality towards general aviation, and the impressive archipelago continue to make the country an ideal destination for day trips and weekend getaways.
The Danish South Sea in particular, with its numerous islands, offers flying visitors unique opportunities. Airfields are often located just a few minutes from harbours, beaches, or historic town centres.
Many pilots also appreciate the straightforward ground handling and the high quality of the airfield infrastructure.
Flight plan submission is the norm across Europe
In fact, the former German-Danish special arrangement is more of an exception than the rule.
In most European countries, a flight plan has always been required for cross-border flights. The regulations now being introduced therefore bring German-Danish air traffic more in line with procedures in other parts of Europe.
For pilots who regularly undertake international flights, this changes very little. For occasional visitors to Denmark, the new regulation simply means an additional step in flight preparation.
Conclusion
With the widespread abolition of „small border traffic“, a piece of aviation tradition between Germany and Denmark comes to an end. While numerous Danish airfields were previously reachable without a flight plan, this option now only remains for the connection to Sønderborg and some North German airfields.
In practice, however, the change should have only minor consequences for most private pilots. Modern flight planning software makes the task of filing a flight plan virtually effortless today. Denmark therefore remains one of the most attractive and straightforward destinations for general aviation in Europe.
Source references:
Aviation magazine
