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Baseline funding – our concept for the future

Air navigation services count as part of Germany's critical infrastructure. They guarantee that the airspace over Germany remains accessible at all times, not only for civil air traffic but also for security operations, military missions, crisis response and the supply of essential goods to the public. This must not be left to market forces and short-term demand fluctuations.

It is precisely in exceptional situations when it becomes clear that the state must remain in a position to act, even if civil aviation is severely restricted or comes to a complete standstill. Air navigation services must continue to operate – reliably, securely and resiliently. Infrastructure, highly qualified personnel and secure technical systems must be permanently available for this purpose.

The current funding model, in which the costs of air navigation services are borne primarily by airspace users, reaches its limits in times of crisis. The state shoulders the responsibility when it comes to security, defence capability and essential services.

DFS has therefore developed a baseline funding concept, in which the state, as the user of resilient air navigation services, contributes to the costs. This baseline funding will ensure that air navigation services can continue to operate even if air traffic declines or is suspended completely.

This is by no means an exceptional approach but an expression of a prudent security policy. Such a modification will ensure that Germany can fulfil its civil, military and alliance-related obligations at all times – especially in a world of growing uncertainty.


The costs of air traffic control are currently borne primarily by airlines. DFS receives reimbursement from federal funds for services provided to airspace users operating under visual flight rules (VFR) and for military air traffic (OAT). 



Even if there is no air traffic, the costs for the technical infrastructure and personnel remain. Baseline funding provided by the state ensures that DFS can provide its services even in crisis situations without placing an excessive financial strain on airlines.