Fewer incidents in German airspace (12 February)


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Langen, 12 February 2004

Fewer incidents in German airspace

Air traffic volume up by 2.4 per cent
The number of aircraft proximities in 2003 was once again lower than in the previous year. The independent Aircraft Proximity Evaluation Group* (APEG) determined a total of 8 incidents (2002:13) in German airspace. Four aircraft proximities were attributed to category A** and four to category B**. Air traffic control was a causative factor in only three category B incidents.

For the first time since the year 2000, air traffic showed signs of growth. The number of aircraft movements in 2003, i.e. all arrivals, departures and overflights, increased by 2.4% to 2.55 million. In 2002, 2.49 million aircraft movements were recorded. Punctuality also remained at a high level in 2003. The average delay was just under a minute, with DFS staff causing 0.34 minutes of this delay.

Thanks to the increase in traffic volume, DFS was able to lower air traffic control charges at the beginning of this year (route charges by 3% and terminal charges by as much as 13%). For example, a Boeing 737 from Hamburg to Munich is now charged €750 instead of €800. German air traffic control charges for an Airbus A340 flying from Frankfurt to New York amount to €830 as opposed to the previous €910.

*APEG is a group of experts which is commissioned by the Federal Minister of Transport, Building and Housing and comprises representatives of airlines, air navigation services, general aviation, the German Air Force, German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Investigation, and the German Cockpit Association.

**Categories of aircraft proximities:
Category A: Risk of collision; aircraft proximity where a serious risk of collision existed.

Category B: Safety not assured; aircraft proximity where the safety of an aircraft may have been compromised and a pilot or air traffic controller had to intervene.

DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH is a State-owned company under private law and has 5,200 employees. DFS ensures the safe and punctual handling of flights. Staff coordinate around 10,000 aircraft movements in German airspace every day, and more than three million movements every year. With this large number of flights, Germany has the highest traffic volume in Europe. DFS operates control centres in Langen, Bremen, Karlsruhe and Munich. In addition, DFS is represented in the Eurocontrol Centre in Maastricht, the Netherlands, and in the control towers of the 16 international German airports. DFS provides training and consultancy services around the world and develops and sells air traffic control, surveillance and navigation systems. The company's portfolio also comprises flight-relevant data, aeronautical publications and aeronautical information services. DFS has the following business units: Control Centre, Tower, Aeronautical Solutions and Aeronautical Information Management.


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