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NFL 2025-1-3409 - Flight restrictions in Bremen airspace: Temporary ED-R "Stoneage" set up for military exercise

Last updated on 4 March 2025
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 both manned and unmanned aircraft.

Spatial and temporal extension of the flight restriction

The restricted flight zone ED-R Stoneage extends within the Bremen flight information region (FIR). Your exact Lateral boundary is defined by the following coordinates:

  • 52°57'00 "N, 09°53'00 "E
  • 53°00'00 "N, 09°55'00 "E
  • 53°02'20 "N, 09°59'30 "E
  • 52°58'40 "N, 10°10'30 "E
  • 52°59'45 "N, 10°15'00 "E
  • 52°51'00 "N, 10°15'00 "E
  • 52°45'22 "N, 10°16'02 "E
  • 52°42'50 "N, 09°58'10 "E
  • 52°45'00 "N, 09°58'00 "E
  • 52°49'00 "N, 09°57'00 "E
  • 52°55'00 "N, 09°55'30 "E
  • 52°57'00 "N, 09°53'00 "E

Vertical limit

The flight restriction applies at an altitude of FL140 (approx. 4,267 m) to FL200 (approx. 6,096 m). This means that the restrictions are limited to medium altitudes, which is particularly important for general air traffic.

Activation times of the flight restriction

The zone will be active on the following days and times:

  • 31 March - 04 April 2025:
    • 07:00 - 09:00 UTC
    • 12:00 - 14:00 UTC
  • 07 April - 10 April 2025:
    • 07:00 - 09:00 UTC
    • 12:00 - 14:00 UTC

All aircraft operators must ensure that they adjust their flight plans accordingly and consider alternative routes.

Type of flight restrictions and exemptions

During the activation times All air traffic within the ED-R Stoneage is prohibitedincluding the operation of model aircraft and unmanned aerial systems (drones). This applies in particular to private and commercial drone flights, which have become increasingly widespread in recent years.

Excluded from the restrictions are

  1. Military aircraft and aircraft operating on behalf of the Bundeswehr.
  2. State aircrafttravelling on government and diplomatic missions.
  3. Police flightsif they are required for operations.
  4. Rescue and disaster control flightsincluding firefighting and search and rescue flights.
  5. Ambulance flightsespecially for medical emergencies and organ transport.
  6. IFR flights (instrument flight rules)but only with prior authorisation from the relevant air traffic control centre.

Pilots who are in the vicinity of the affected airspace or have to cross it should inform themselves in good time about their planned routes and coordinate with air traffic control if necessary.


Source references:
NFL (the link requires a subscription to Eisenschmidt)

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