Summer ready: DFS expects stable operations this summer 

DFS, the German air navigation service provider, is looking forward to the upcoming travel season with confidence. The company is ready to handle the air traffic in summer 2025 thanks to timely planning, increased staffing levels and technological developments. 

Extensive preparations for summer operations in 2025 began back in autumn 2024. Thanks to an increase in personnel compared to the previous year and the integration of 130 new air traffic controllers, DFS has increased its operational effectiveness. At the same time, duty rostering has been made more flexible to be able to deploy staff where they are most urgently needed. 

A particular focus has been on adapting to changing traffic flows. For example, some sectors in the upper airspace over southern Germany recorded a 14 percent increase in air traffic volumes in April 2025 compared to the prior-year period. This represents an increase of 40 percent over 2019. 

Even with this progress, DFS remains vigilant with regard to external influencing factors. 

The number of extreme weather events, such as severe summer thunderstorms, increased by 83 percent last year compared to 2023. Geopolitical crises such as the situation in the Middle East or the war in Ukraine continue to pose major challenges. The increase in military air traffic in German airspace necessitates short-term diversions for civil air traffic in daily operations. 

In terms of technology, DFS is focusing on innovation. The introduction of state-of-the-art air traffic control systems is delivering capacity gains. Further projects with an impact on capacity are planned, including some airspace optimisations. 

DFS is investing in training, with around 360 young people currently undergoing air traffic controller training. The recruitment of 144 young people to train to become air traffic controllers each year is laid down in the planning for the coming years. 

"It's not one big measure, but the sum of many small initiatives that sustainably strengthen our capacity," emphasised Dirk Mahns, COO on the DFS Executive Board. "We are prepared, but we remain vigilant. The combination of forward-looking planning and operational flexibility is our key to a successful summer 2025." 

Media contact:
Kristina Kelek 
Telephone: +49 (0)6103 707 – 4161
E-mail: presse@dfs.de  

DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH (DFS), the German air navigation service provider, is a State-owned company under private law with 5,700 employees as at 30 June 2025. DFS ensures the safe and punctual flow of air traffic over Germany. Around 2,200 air traffic controllers guide more than three million flights through German airspace in peak years, up to 10,000 every day. The company operates control centres in Bremen, Karlsruhe, Langen and Munich as well as control towers at the 15 designated international airports in Germany. The subsidiary, DFS Aviation Services GmbH, markets and sells products and services related to air navigation services, and provides air traffic control at nine regional airports in Germany and at Edinburgh Airport in the United Kingdom. DFS is working on the integration of drones into air traffic and has set up a joint venture, Droniq GmbH, with Deutsche Telekom. Other subsidiaries include R. Eisenschmidt GmbH, which markets publications and products for general aviation, and Kaufbeuren ATM Training GmbH (KAT), which provides training for military air traffic services personnel. The joint venture FCS Flight Calibration Services GmbH offers flight inspection services.