Deutsche Flugsicherung (, lit. 'German air traffic control', abbr. DFS) is the company in charge of air traffic control for Germany. It is a company organized under private law and 100% owned by the Federal Republic of Germany. Since January 1993, DFS has been controlling air traffic in Germany. In Germany, military and civil air traffic controllers work side by side. Since 1994, DFS has been responsible for the handling of both civil and military air traffic in peacetime. Only military aerodromes are exempted from this integration.[2]
History
DFS was formed by the Bundesanstalt für Flugsicherung (BFS). The BFS was established in 1953 and closed in January 1993. Previously, DFS was founded as a private GmbH.
Running costs and fees
DFS's running costs are covered by applicable route charges ("Flugsicherungsgebühren", collected by Eurocontrol for its 37 participating member states) and by approach and departure fees (determination by the BMVI by ordinance and collected directly by DFS)
According to the Gesellschaftsvertrag, DFS is a not-for-profit company. Any surpluses generated must also be repaid in accordance with the internationally accepted principles for the collection of air navigation charges to airspace users.