General aviation (GA) in Germany is facing a significant challenge: the financing of air navigation services at regional aerodromes has been thrown into disarray. The latest developments surrounding the Ordinance on the Charging of Costs for the Utilisation of Air Navigation Services and Facilities for Approaches and Departures (FSAAKV) have led to uncertainty and raise questions about the future of regional aviation infrastructure.

With effect from 30 May to 6 June 2025, the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport Affairs (BMDV) has established a temporary flight restriction area in the Bremen flight information region. The corresponding order was issued on the basis of Section 17 (1) sentence 2 of the German Air Traffic Regulations (LuftVO) and relates to an area north of Rostock. The announcement was made via the Notices to Airmen (NfL 2025-1-3441) and supplements the existing flight restriction areas in northern Germany. The new area is called

As part of a new scientific research project, the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport Affairs (BMDV) has issued a temporary flight restriction for a defined area in the Bremen flight information centre. This measure serves to protect the airspace and operational safety during the project period. The measure was published on 1 April 2025 in an announcement in the Nachrichten für Luftfahrer (NfL 2025-1-3440) and is effective from 3 April 2025.

With effect from 25 March to 5 April 2025, the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport Affairs (BMDV) has defined several temporary areas with flight restrictions in German airspace. The measure is in accordance with Section 17 (1) sentence 2 of the German Air Traffic Regulations (LuftVO) and relates in particular to the Bremen, Langen and Munich flight information regions. It is essential for general aviation to know and avoid these zones, as they have a direct impact on flight routes,

From 2 April 2025, the United Kingdom will introduce a new entry requirement: travellers from visa-free countries, including Germany and other EU states, will need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to enter the country. This measure applies to tourist stays as well as business trips and transit through the United Kingdom.

General aviation in Germany is facing a serious challenge: more and more freelance flight instructors and flight schools are being confronted with accusations of bogus self-employment by the German Pension Insurance (DRV). In practice, this means high additional claims for social security contributions, sometimes over several years - a financial burden that threatens the existence of many of those affected. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Germany (AOPA-Germany), one of the most important organisations representing the interests of general aviation in Germany, has published

DFS Aviation Services GmbH (DAS) has announced a significant change for air traffic in Germany: from 17 April 2025, a reduced runway separation will be introduced at several German airports. This regulation is intended to optimise the flow of traffic and lead to more efficient processes, particularly at busier airports. The new runway separation applies to aircraft using the same runway and applies at selected controlled aerodromes where DAS provides the aerodrome control service.

Swiss aviation is facing a significant adjustment to the airspace around Zurich Airport (LSZH). From 20 March 2025, a new airspace structure will come into force that will affect both civil and military airspace in the Zurich and Dübendorf area. This reorganisation is based on existing instrument flight procedures (IFP) and aims to make air traffic more efficient and safer. The adjustment has an impact on various

Temporary flight restrictions are regularly imposed in German airspace, particularly in connection with military exercises or security-related events. The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport Affairs (BMDV) has now announced a new restriction for the airspace above Bremen: The temporary "ED-R Stoneage" will be activated on several days in the period from 31 March to 10 April 2025 to enable a military exercise. This measure has a significant impact on air traffic and affects

General aviation is subject to continuous adjustments and new regulations, particularly with regard to flight planning, air traffic management and prioritisation mechanisms. Recently, new regulations for special flight statuses, ATFM (Air Traffic Flow Management) restrictions and requirements for special operations in German airspace have been published. These changes have a significant impact on pilots, airlines and authorities.

Austro Control GmbH, which is responsible for air traffic control in Austria, has published a revised Aeronautical Information Communication (AIC A 4/25). This replaces the previous version AIC A 7/24 and introduces numerous changes and innovations, particularly in the area of flight plan filing and special regulations for flights within Austria.

On 18 February 2025, the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport announced a temporary extension of the airspace restrictions for the areas ED-R 201A (TRA-Friesland 1) and ED-R 301A (TRA-Friesland 2). This measure concerns 4 April 2025, when these airspaces will be closed to general air traffic from 06:00 UTC to 17:15 UTC.

The Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport Affairs has issued a temporary airspace restriction over the ED-R Peenemünde area in the Bremen flight information region. The measure comes into force on 24 February 2025 and is valid until 31 December 2025. The restricted airspace serves as a protective measure for an ongoing research project that is being conducted during this period. All non-participating aircraft, drones and model aircraft are not permitted to fly in the area.

DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH (DFS) has published new guidelines for the application of reduced runway separation, which will come into force on 20 March 2025. This regulation makes it possible to reduce the distance between aircraft on the same runway under certain conditions, allowing air traffic to be handled more efficiently. The measure primarily affects smaller and medium-weight aircraft at major German commercial airports.

The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport Affairs has announced a temporary flight restriction for the airspace above Grafenau in the Munich flight information centre. The reason for this is a military exercise that will take place from 25 March to 3 April 2025. During this time, an area with flight restrictions (ED-R Grafenau) will be established in which civilian aircraft, drones and model aircraft are not permitted to operate.

On 4 February 2025, the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport Affairs (BMDV) defined new restricted areas (ED-R). These areas can only be overflown by aviation under certain conditions and are intended to ensure the safety of ground facilities, military exercises and research projects, among other things. The new regulations are particularly important for general aviation pilots, as they restrict the use of airspace in certain regions of Germany. In this article we explain

The Munich Security Conference (MSC) is one of the most important international meetings in the field of security and defence policy. Due to the high level of protection required for high-ranking politicians, diplomats and military representatives, temporary flight restrictions will be put in place in the airspace over Munich from 13 to 16 February 2025. This measure is being coordinated by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport Affairs (BMDV) in cooperation with DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH and the Bavarian security authorities.

The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport Affairs (BMDV) has published an announcement for 15 January 2025 on the temporary establishment of flight restriction areas and danger zones on the occasion of the military exercise "MAGDAY 02-25". These measures affect various flight information regions (FIRs) in Germany, including Langen, Munich and the upper Rhine flight information region. The affected airspaces are closed to civil aircraft on certain days in order to ensure the safe execution of the military exercise. Non-participating aircraft may use these

On 20 March 2025, a revised and groundbreaking regulation will come into force: the 166th Implementing Ordinance to the German Air Traffic Regulations (DVO), which focuses on the definition of flight procedures for arrivals and departures according to Visual Flight Rules (VFR) to and from Hamburg Airport. The regulation, adopted on 9 December 2024, replaces the existing regulation from 1996 and contains more precise instructions for pilots and air traffic controllers.

On 9 October 2024, the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport, in cooperation with DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH, published new guidelines for aeronautical radio at aerodromes without air traffic services. The aim of these "Guidelines for the implementation of aeronautical radio at aerodromes without air traffic services" is to structure the communication process between pilots and ground stations and to increase safety in the vicinity of aerodromes.

From 20 March 2025, a new airfield traffic zone (ATZ) will come into force around the Essen/Mülheim airfield (EDLE). This measure was decided by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport Affairs in order to better protect airfield traffic and increase safety in the airspace. A clear rule is essential here: pilots may only enter the ATZ if they want to fly to or take off from Essen/Mülheim Airport.

The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport Affairs has announced the establishment of danger areas in accordance with Section 29 (1) of the Air Traffic Act. These areas are regularly located outside German territory over the high seas and serve to ensure safety in military training zones. The designated areas are described in detail below, supplemented by information for pilots and technical details.

From 20 March 2025, new regulations for areas with flight restrictions will come into force. These have been published by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport Affairs as part of the current air traffic regulations (Section 17 LuftVO) and affect various regions in Germany. The adjustments are intended to further increase aviation safety and create clear guidelines for airspace users. The most important details are summarised here.

On 20 March 2025, comprehensive changes to the airspace structure and new regulations for the use of Transponder Mandatory Zones (TMZ) will come into force in Germany. Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH (DFS), together with the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport Affairs, has announced these measures, which have been published in the "Nachrichten für Luftfahrer" (NfL 2024-1-3306). The aim is to further increase safety in air traffic and make gliding operations more efficient.