THIS PERIOD AT A GLANCE

Germany showed meaningful improvement in Summer 2025 — the average delay caused by air traffic control dropped to around 30 seconds per flight in 2025, down from 50 seconds in 2024 DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung
Germany generated 9% of en-route ATFM delays in the first week of the S26 summer schedule, mainly attributed to Karlsruhe ACC at 5% EUROCONTROL
DFS is the second largest delay generator in Europe historically — but unlike France, it is actively improving

WHY FRANCE IS EUROPE'S DELAY ENGINE

ATFM delays have cost airlines and passengers an estimated EUR 17.5 billion since 2015, with over 70% linked to capacity shortages and staffing issues — and a small number of ANSPs, particularly DSNA, account for more than half of the total impact. IATA

That concentration is not an accident. France controls one of the largest and most complex airspaces in Europe. DSNA operates five ACCs — Paris, Reims, Marseille, Bordeaux, and Brest — handling traffic flowing between the UK, Iberia, the Mediterranean, and Central Europe.



Every major trunk route between Istanbul and Western Europe passes through at least one French ACC. There is no way around it.

The problem is structural. French airspace handles enormous traffic volumes with an ATCO workforce that has been under strain for a decade. Retirements from the 1990s recruitment wave are peaking now. DSNA will recruit 152 ATCOs in 2025 and 160 from 2026 onwards, with training rates at maximum across all centres. EUROCONTROL But training an ATCO to full operational competency takes three to four years. The pipeline will not deliver relief before Summer 2027 at the earliest.

Photo by Dennis Gecaj on Unsplash

THE DFS PICTURE GOING INTO SUMMER 2026

Germany's air navigation service provider DFS presents a more encouraging picture than France heading into Summer 2026. In 2025, DFS took on 140 junior staff with 150 current hires planned for 2026, and air traffic control systems have been improved with airspace man

📌 Issue 06 — The German Picture (Anupgarh)
🏢 Clearance ATFM
📍 Anupgarh