Background: The FSAAKV and its significance
The FSAAKV regulates the levying of charges for the use of air navigation services for arrivals and departures at German airports. It distinguishes between two fee categories.
- Fee range 1Major commercial airports such as Frankfurt, Munich or Berlin Brandenburg.
- Fee range 2Regional aerodromes, which are often operated by local or regional authorities.
Until now, air traffic control charges for smaller aircraft (under 2 tonnes MTOM) have not been levied at many regional airports in order to promote general aviation and keep the financial burden low.
Current developments: Cancellation of federal funding
At the end of 2024, the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) surprisingly announced that it would cease state funding for air navigation services at regional airports at the end of 2025. This decision was made without prior consultation with the affected associations and caused considerable irritation in the industry.
The first sign of this change was the Notices to Airmen (NfL) 2025-1-3390 to -3400 dated 21 February 2025, which announced the cancellation of the waiver of air navigation charges at certain regional airports. The airports affected included those in Paderborn, Braunschweig, Magdeburg/Cochstedt, Dortmund, Emden, Friedrichshafen, Karlsruhe, Memmingen, Lahr, Mönchengladbach and Niederrhein.
For example, the fees would have been around 31.71 euros for a Cessna 172 and around 22.66 euros for a 600 kg microlight aircraft. However, following strong protests from the aviation community, these changes were cancelled just four days after their publication in NfL 2025-1-3401.
Reactions and political developments
The BMDV's announcement that all state funding for air traffic control services at regional aerodromes would be discontinued was met with widespread rejection. Many of these airfields are run by local or regional authorities and are dependent on financial support in order to maintain flight operations.
In the weeks that followed, it became known that the affected airports and associations had influenced the coalition negotiations. A leaked draft of the coalition agreement dated 24 March 2025 contains the following statement on page 5, line 165: "We will continue to support regional airports with regard to air traffic control costs." This was seen as a positive signal by the industry.
The coalition agreement was officially presented on 9 April 2025. In it, the CDU/CSU and SPD reaffirm their intention to continue supporting regional airports with air traffic control costs. In addition, measures are to be taken to strengthen the competitiveness of the German aviation industry, including the abolition of the power-to-liquid quota, which goes beyond what is necessary under European law, and the cancellation of the increase in air traffic tax implemented in May 2024.
Prospects for general aviation
The current situation poses challenges for general aviation, but also offers opportunities.
- Financial burdenThe potential introduction of air traffic control charges at regional aerodromes could increase operating costs for pilots and flight schools.
- Political supportThe commitments in the coalition agreement indicate that the federal government recognises the importance of regional airports and is prepared to provide financial support.
- Modernisation of air traffic controlThe BMDV has instructed Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH (DFS) to develop an operating procedure that enables smooth entry and exit into controlled airspace and thus allows instrument flight operations at aerodromes without air traffic services. This could increase the attractiveness and usability of regional aerodromes.
Conclusion
The debate surrounding the financing of air navigation services at regional airports has highlighted the importance of this infrastructure for general aviation and regional development. The current political signals give reason to hope that a viable solution will be found that both reduces the financial burden on operators and ensures the safety and efficiency of flight operations.
The coming months will show how the Federal Government will implement its commitments in concrete terms and what measures will be taken to secure the future of regional airports and general aviation in Germany in the long term.
Source references:
AOPA
