With effect from 6 August 2026, DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH (DFS) is introducing new procedures for UAS flights in the control zones (CTR) of 16 airports.
The airports impacted by the new regulation are: Berlin Brandenburg, Bremen, Cologne Bonn, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Erfurt Weimar, Frankfurt Main, Hamburg, Hannover, Leipzig Halle, Munich, Münster Osnabrück, Nürnberg. Saarbrücken, Stuttgart.
“For UAS flights in controlled airspace (such as control zones), an air traffic control clearance (ATC clearance) is required under Section 21(1)(5) of the German Aviation Regulation (LuftVO),” says DFS. “For UAS flights that meet specific conditions, this clearance applies automatically. This is referred to as a general ATC clearance. For all other UAS flights, an individual ATC clearance must be requested.
“The DFS control zones are now divided into an inner and an outer area for UAS operations. A total of four zones have been defined for this purpose. The CTR inner area corresponds to Zone The CTR outer area comprises Zones 2 to 4.
- Zone 1: The area above the airport and within a lateral distance of 1 km from its boundary, as well as 5 km beyond the beginning and end of the runways – over a width of 1 km to the left and right of the centreline of the runway (corresponding to the geographical area under Section 21(h)(3)(2) of the German Aviation Regulation (LuftVO))
- Zone 2: The area defined by a circle with a radius of 4 km centred on the aerodrome reference point (ARP) outside Zone 1
- Zone 3: The area defined by a circle with a radius of 6 km centred on the aerodrome reference point (ARP) outside Zones 1 and 2
- Zone 4: The entire remaining area of the control zone outside Zones 1 to 3
In the CTR inner area (Zone 1), an individual ATC clearance is always required and must be requested, regardless of the intended UAS height. This can be done online via the DFS website at https://ais.dfs.de. You will then receive further information by e-mail on whether an ATC clearance will be granted, how you can obtain one and what conditions apply. Please note that a lead time of 14 days is usually required to process the request.
“In the CTR outer area In the CTR outer area, a general ATC clearance for flights in Zones 2 to 4 is automatically granted through the new general administrative order issued by DFS (NfL 2026-1-3960), provided all the requirements and conditions set out in section 2 of NfL 2026-1-3960 are met. The maximum cleared heights are generally as follows: Zone 2: 25 m above aerodrome elevation or above ground level (whichever is lower). Zone 3: 45 m above aerodrome elevation or above ground level (whichever is lower). Zone 4: 100 m above aerodrome elevation or 50 m above ground level (whichever is greater) If the UAS take-off location in Zone 4 is below the aerodrome elevation, the maximum permitted height is 100 m above ground level.”
For more information
https://www.dfs.de/homepage/en/drone-flight/applications-and-approvals/2026-7-neuregelung-uas-in-ctr-en.pdf?cid=jlf