04. August 2026

General Aviation Must Be Part of the National Aviation Strategy

With the National Aviation Strategy adopted in early June, the federal government has established a new strategic framework for German aviation for the first time in twelve years. The GBAA welcomes numerous measures aimed at strengthening Germany as an aviation hub—but sees a significant need for improvement when it comes to addressing general aviation.

The strategy includes important initiatives such as reducing air traffic control fees, removing bureaucratic hurdles, promoting innovation, and investing in sustainable aviation technologies. Nevertheless, business aviation is virtually unmentioned in the strategy paper, even though it comprises Europe’s largest fleet—748 business aircraft—and plays a central role in connecting export-oriented small and medium-sized enterprises as well as structurally weak regions.

From the GBAA’s perspective, there are particular shortcomings in the political recognition of business aviation, the long-term safeguarding of decentralized airport infrastructure, and the fair structuring of sustainability requirements. Concrete measures and timelines are also still lacking regarding the announced reduction of bureaucracy.

The GBAA therefore calls for general aviation to be recognized as an independent component of national aviation policy and for it to be addressed in a separate chapter of the announced progress report. This includes, in particular:

• political recognition of on-demand aviation as a systemically important component of Germany’s transportation and economic structure,
• the long-term preservation of regional airports and infrastructure,
• consistent reduction of bureaucracy,
• technology-neutral and fair support measures for sustainable fuels, and
• greater consideration of connectivity as an economic policy objective.

Conclusion:
The new aviation strategy is an important step for Germany as an aviation hub. However, for it to live up to its aspirations, on-demand aviation must be given greater consideration in the future as an indispensable component of the overall system.

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