German Air Transport Initiative

The "German Air Transport" initiative was launched in summer 2003 by Deutsche Lufthansa AG (DLH), Fraport AG (Flughafen Frankfurt), Flughafen München GmbH (FMG) and Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH (DFS). The role of initiative mediator, originally assumed by Federal Minister Dr Stolpe, was taken over by Federal Minister Tiefensee in November 2005.

The aim of the initiative is to strengthen Germany 's competitiveness in order to participate in future worldwide growth in air transport, secure existing jobs and create new ones.

Representatives

The initiators are represented by their Chairmen/CEOs Mayrhuber (DLH), Dr Bender (Fraport AG), Dr Kerkloh (FMG) and Kaden (DFS). The interests of other German airports and air carriers are represented by the German Airports' Association (ADV) and the Federal Association for German Airlines (BDF).

To facilitate efficient and effective cooperation, the states of Bavaria, Brandenburg, Hamburg, Hessen and North-Rhine/Westphalia, and the following Federal Ministries have been integrated:

• Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development,
• Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology,
• Federal Ministry of Finance, and the
• Federal Ministry of the Interior.

The initiative provides a wide-ranging forum for involvement by a representative cross-section of groups involved in Germany's air transport system.

At the expert level, the aim is to intensively discuss the problems in a structured and continuous dialogue and critically analyse requirements for air transport reform on political and economic levels.

Action committees and action group

Two action committees dealing with the tasks "Infrastructure and Competition" and "Safety and Security" are preparing working-level approaches and recommendations for the adjustments required regarding security and the strengthening of Germany as a location for air transport.

The action group is the "political" management responsible for the adoption of recommendations for action. The members of this body include the ministers of the federal and state departments involved and the initiators. The coordinating authority under the management of the Head of the Civil Aviation and Space Flight Directorate-General at the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development acts as a link between these two working levels.

Recommendations of the action group

The action group adopted its first recommendations for action in April 2004.

These recommendations relate to the national implementation of EU regulations for the reorganisation of air traffic control in Europe (Single European Sky), measures to promote air security and other issues. Furthermore, recommendations have been put forward for the acceleration and stabilisation of airport planning and approval procedures. A special focus will also be on the voluntary agreement of German air carriers to refrain from requesting subsidies ("Code of Conduct").

In October 2004, the action group agreed on further recommendations for action in four key areas:

• design of a master plan for the development of air transport infrastructure,
• reorganisation of air traffic control charges,
• representation of interests in the field of air security,
• creation of a general legal and regulatory framework.

In 2006, the action group decided, among other things, to further develop the master plan for the development of air transport infrastructure. This master plan was submitted upon completion in December 2006. Furthermore, the action group underscored the importance of intermodal transport for an efficient overall transport system, as well as considering the role of German commercial airports in a global context and the reform of European aviation security legislation.