13. July 2026

Business Aviation in Germany
>700 business aircraft
A European leader—and yet not mentioned at all in the strategy.
Yet business aviation ensures connectivity for export-oriented small and medium-sized enterprises, opens up regions far from air traffic hubs, and ensures economic viability where scheduled flights are lacking.

Background:
On June 10, 2026, the Federal Cabinet adopted the new aviation strategy for the first time in 12 years—presented by Chancellor Merz at the ILA Berlin. It is intended to establish a regulatory framework for the next 15 years.

Positive developments:
✔ Fee reductions: Air traffic control fees will decrease by >10% by 2029; the air traffic tax will return to pre-crisis levels as of July 1, 2026.
✔ Reduced bureaucracy: Plans announced to eliminate overregulation beyond EU requirements; access to funding will be simplified.
✔ U-Space / AAM: National legislation for unmanned aviation by the end of 2026—a significant signal for AAM investors.
✔ Integrated approach: For the first time, air traffic, industry, the military, and infrastructure are being considered as a single entity.

Points of concern:
✘ Omission: Business aviation and general aviation are not mentioned at all.
✘ Airfields at risk: Decentralized infrastructure lacks a clear commitment—and faces further pressure due to fee reform.
✘ Incorrect metrics: The strategy focuses on passenger numbers rather than connectivity—the relevance to small and medium-sized businesses remains overlooked.
✘ SAF Overburden: SAF costs 3–5 times more than Jet-A1; without a differentiated subsidy structure, the mandatory blending requirement structurally hits small operators harder.

GBAA eV’s Demands on Policymakers:
We demand specific improvements to the announced progress report on the aviation strategy
▶ Include a dedicated chapter: Aviation for specific needs and decentralized airport infrastructure as a separate chapter in the progress report.
▶ Clear commitment to airfield infrastructure: Exempt decentralized locations from air traffic control costs, analogous to the 15 airports of federal interest.
▶ Differentiated SAF funding approach: Targeted instruments, transition periods, and cost compensation for small operators without economies of scale.
▶ Connectivity as a key metric: Anchor measurable connectivity for small and medium-sized businesses and economic accessibility in the strategy.
▶ Specify measures to reduce bureaucracy: Reform AOC processes, operating permits, and slot allocation at hubs in a practical and timely manner.
▶ Permanently secure the second fee category: Structurally resolve the funding basis for regional airports—do not jeopardize it by shifting costs.

Conclusion
The new aviation strategy sends an important political signal—long overdue after a 12-year hiatus and fundamentally on the right track. However, as far as business aviation is concerned, it is neither hindered nor mentioned—and is therefore not actively promoted. A big question mark remains over this segment, which operates Europe’s largest business travel fleet and ensures economic connectivity for German small and medium-sized enterprises. The progress report must remove this question mark—with a dedicated chapter, clear commitments, and concrete measures.

View the position paper as a PDF