German airlines warn of drone threats for ten years
Germany's airlines demand consistent political action amid rising drone incidents at airports. The president of the German Airlines Association stresses the need to shoot down drones in threat situations. The federal government plans to enhance drone defenses by year's end.
Peter Gerber, president of the German Airlines Association (BDF) and CEO of Condor airline, commented in newspapers of the Funke Mediengruppe on ongoing drone threats at airports. "In a threat situation, drones must be able to be shot down," he said, calling for clarification of responsibilities. Gerber criticized: "It annoys me that the urgency of drones is only now being recognized. We have been pointing out the problem for ten years."
The federal government is responding to increasing incidents by expanding drone defenses. Still this year, federal police special units will be supplemented with a drone defense unit. Additionally, a drone defense center by federal and state governments is planned for 2025. These measures were announced by Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) on Wednesday.
Gerber emphasized that detection and defense are sovereign tasks that the state must fund. "At civilian airports, the federal police must have the authority to stop drones – and shoot them down if necessary." For airlines, one hour of disruption means millions in damage. Regarding ticket prices, he warned: "Prices will probably continue to rise because state location costs are also increasing."