German aviation industry leaders are calling for a significantly strengthened and legally defined response to the escalating threat of drone interference at airports, highlighting a systemic vulnerability that is impacting air travel and raising national security concerns. Peter Gerber, President of the German Aviation Association (BDF), articulated a stark message to the federal government, demanding clear legal frameworks that would permit the potential engagement and neutralization of drones posing a threat to flight operations.
Gerber’s call comes in the wake of recent disruptions, including a significant shutdown of Munich Airport last Friday and repeated instances of drone activity around Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), impacting thousands of passengers and incurring substantial economic losses. The frequency of these incidents, now extending to major hubs like Frankfurt, Cologne/Bonn and Düsseldorf, reveals a recurring and unresolved problem. He stated that “a clear and decisive response” is paramount, even if that involves taking action that temporarily disrupts flight schedules. Estimating the economic consequence of a single hour of interruption at “always a million-euro damage” Gerber underscored the urgency of a solution.
Beyond reactive measures, the BDF is pushing for preventative strategies. Gerber is advocating for mandatory programming of commercially available drones to automatically descend within no-fly zones, alongside comprehensive registration and liability regulations for drone purchasers. He insists that drone detection and defense are inherently governmental responsibilities, requiring state funding and asserting that the Federal Police should hold the authority to both intercept and, if necessary, engage drones at civilian airports. At military installations near airports, the responsibility should fall to the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces).
The current situation exposes critical gaps in German airspace security and raises questions about the government’s preparedness to handle increasingly sophisticated drone threats. Critics are likely to scrutinize the feasibility and legality of authorizing drone engagement, balancing national security imperatives with potential civil liberties concerns. The demand for a defined legal framework highlights a growing recognition that current regulations are inadequate for the evolving nature of the problem and that a robust, proactive response is now essential to safeguard German airspace and protect the nation’s aviation infrastructure.