 |
|||||
|
Langen, 5 March 2010 Flights in German airspace decrease by 7.1 percent DFS presents its Mobility Report 2009 In 2009, DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH recorded its highest ever decrease in air traffic. DFS air traffic controllers handled 2.93 million aircraft movements, representing a 7.1 percent decline over the previous year. The company announced its latest mobility figures at a press briefing today. The main focus of this year’s DFS Mobility Report is on low-fare airlines. These low-cost carriers were not hit nearly as hard by the recession as other airlines. They only recorded a decrease of 1.7 percent in flights, whereas all other airlines suffered an 8.8 percent drop. For the first time ever, low-fare airlines account for more than one quarter of air traffic in Germany. In the air transport industry, air cargo was hardest hit by the global recession. In December 2009, the transport of air cargo fell by 6.1 percent, the greatest decline to date. The 4.5 percent fall in the number of passengers in Germany was also a record loss. There was, however, positive news regarding aircraft proximities, i.e. occurrences reported by pilots or controllers as safety-relevant. Each occurrence is analysed by the Aircraft Proximity Evaluation Group, or APEG for short. Last year, a total of seven proximities were registered. Three were classified by APEG as category B ("safety not assured") and four were category A “immediate risk of collision”. "Seven occurrences in almost three million aircraft movements – an excellent result," commented DFS CEO Dieter Kaden. In 1975, as many as 210 aircraft proximities of categories A and B were recorded. Since 2003, the number of proximities has remained at a single-digit level, even though the number of aircraft movements has quadrupled since 1975. Mr Kaden was proud to state that "none of the seven cases in 2009 was caused by DFS". He added that "there has only been one such case to date and that was in 2005". DFS also recorded a positive result concerning infringements of separation. Each deviation, regardless how small, from the separation minima between aircraft, which are purposely set high, is registered and systematically investigated. A total of 258 infringements of separation were registered in 2009, 176 of which were caused by DFS. This figure represents a decrease of only one third, or 84 fewer infringements than in 2008. Only 64 infringements of separation were categorised as "significant" or "very significant", meaning that DFS was largely involved in causing them. This number also declined, as 96 infringements had been recorded in 2008 in both of these categories. At the 16 international airports in Germany, air traffic controllers issue clearances for take-off and landing and control traffic on the taxiways. And regardless of how small a violation is or whether there was danger or not, each case is recorded. In 2009, 85 runway incursions were registered, 18 fewer than in the previous year. A runway incursion occurs when, for example, an aircraft is approaching and another aircraft or follow-me vehicle inadvertently taxis onto the runway. In 2009, 94 percent of all flights reached their destinations without any delays caused by air traffic control. "In view of the falling traffic figures, I would have liked the punctuality result to be higher," Dieter Kaden emphasised. He added "but we would rather have worse results in terms of punctuality, than make any concessions when it comes to safety”. The delays were due to the introduction of new technical systems and procedures as well as the implementation of different projects and re-organisations. All of the activities place high demands on the staffing situation. For example, DFS plans to put into operation a state-of-the-art and one-of-a-kind ATC system at Karlsruhe control centre at the end of this year. This may lead to some bottlenecks in air traffic. DFS is also stepping up its recruitment of air traffic controller trainees in the coming years. The company is intensifying its personnel marketing campaign in order to fill the 150 trainee posts that are available each year. DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH, the German air navigation service provider, is a State-owned company under private law and has 5,600 employees. DFS ensures the safe and punctual flow of air traffic over Germany. Staff coordinate up to 10,000 aircraft movements in German airspace every day, and nearly three million movements every year. This makes Germany the country with 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.
|
|||||
| DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH | Imprint | Disclaimer | Contact | Privacy Policy |
| DFS on |  |