In June, air travelers must expect delays: Due to the Germany-wide NATO exercise "Air Defender 2023", planes will be diverted.
Munich – If you have planned a flight in June, you have to be prepared for massive delays. NATO is planning its largest air exercise in Germany to date: some parts of the airspace will be closed for almost two weeks, causing delays. A lifting of the ban on night flights is also planned.
Delays of flights in June due to "Air Defender 23": "Are trying to reduce restrictions"
According to the Air Force, 23 nations with 12 aircraft and 23,25 soldiers will take part in Operation "Air Defender 250" from June 10 to 000. It is the largest deployment exercise of air forces since the existence of the Western defense alliance NATO. During the two-week operation, airspace is to be closed to civil aviation with a time delay from Monday to Friday.
"We are trying to reduce the restrictions as much as possible," said Luftwaffe Lieutenant General Günter Katz on Friday (26 May) in Berlin. Although the aviation industry expects some delays, which could be longer in some cases and could also build up, travelers do not have to worry about flights being cancelled completely. The head of German air traffic control, Arndt Schoenemann, also emphasized that flight cancellations were not to be assumed. Although there will be delays due to diversions of flights around the closed areas, many flights will still land and depart on time. For better coordination, significantly more air traffic controllers are planned.
NATO exercise "Air Defender 23" affects flights: Simulation shows the extent of the delay
The air traffic control union (GdF), on the other hand, is less optimistic about the situation. "The military exercise will of course have a massive impact on the course of civil aviation," said GdF chief Matthias Maas. Simulations showed that for the duration of the large-scale exercise, total delays of up to 50,000 minutes had to be expected every day, in the best case. In addition, it is expected that up to 100 flights a day will not reach their destination for the night closure of German airports. As a result, it is very likely that these aircraft would not be available in time for passengers at the planned location on the following day.
It is still unclear which flights will be affected by the delays caused by the NATO exercise "Air Defender 23". (Symbolic image) © Bianca de Marchi/imago
Delayed flights: Exceptions to the night air restriction are planned due to "Air Defender 23"
In order to counteract this, Stuttgart Airport, for example, has decided on exceptions to the night air restriction. The exercise represents a temporary special situation, said the ministerial director in the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Transport, Berthold Frieß. The country will therefore allow exceptions until 2:00 a.m. at the latest. Nevertheless, "noticeable effects in the form of delays" are expected, according to a spokesman for the airport. It is currently still unclear on which days the delays will be particularly long and which flights will be specifically affected by the restrictions imposed by the NATO exercise "Air Defender 23".
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Chaos already reigns over Pentecost: In Munich, an S-Bahn line is partially closed. Holidaymakers must therefore expect restrictions. If you want to go on holiday without expensive flight tickets and delays, you should choose a cheap destination that can also be reached by car or train. (tt/dpa)
