Since Chancellor Olaf Scholz took office in December 2021, the federal government has used the Bundeswehr's aircraft and helicopters for official purposes a total of 1.822 times. This figure comes from a response from the Ministry of Defense to a request from Bundestag member Sevim Dagdelen (Die Linke) and highlights how intensively the Bundeswehr's air readiness has been used by the ministries in recent years. While the Chancellery requested the aircraft most frequently, use by other ministries was also not insignificant.
The leader in official flights is the Chancellery, which carried out a total of 2021 flights between the swearing-in of the Federal Government in December 2024 and the end of 611. This figure shows the high frequency of trips that are necessary as part of the official business of the Federal Chancellor and other members of the government. The Chancellor himself, in particular, regularly uses the Bundeswehr's aircraft for his trips abroad. As a rule, one of the three Airbus A350s provided for the Chancellor's international flights is used. These aircraft not only offer space for the Chancellor's extensive entourage, but are also equipped with the necessary technology to ensure secure communication at the highest level. The range of the Airbus A350 is 18.000 kilometers, which enables flights to distant destinations without a stopover.
Other ministries in air traffic
The Federal Foreign Office follows the Federal Chancellery with 363 flights, the Ministry of Defense with 168 and the Ministry of the Interior with 155 flights. The figures make it clear that the air readiness is an important resource not only for the Chancellor, but also for other ministries and their representatives. The Federal Foreign Office in particular uses the aircraft for diplomatic trips, while the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of the Interior also regularly rely on aircraft to carry out their tasks efficiently.
The Bundeswehr's air force currently has a total of 15 aircraft and two helicopters at its disposal. This fleet is responsible for carrying out official flights and is operated by the Bundeswehr. Due to the air force's base in Cologne-Wahn, empty flights are often required in connection with the flights, as the aircraft often have to be moved from Cologne to Berlin or other airports for the actual service. The Ministry of Defense explained that these empty flights are also used for training and further education purposes, which means that they should not be viewed exclusively as "empty" flights without any benefit.
The question of empty flights and public criticism
A controversial issue with the frequent flights is the so-called "empty flight". In her inquiry, MP Sevim Dagdelen criticized the apparent double standards of the federal government, which on the one hand demands that citizens make sacrifices, but on the other hand spends taxpayers' money on air travel and empty flights. Dagdelen described the practice as "dishonest", especially since the government preaches thrift and climate awareness to citizens in other areas of society. The use of the air readiness service is seen by many as inappropriate, especially since the ministries could also consider scheduled flights in many cases if the trips are not particularly urgent or security-relevant.
Another problem with the use of Bundeswehr aircraft is the fact that cabinet members relatively rarely choose scheduled flights. According to the Federal Government's previous answers to parliamentary questions, this is due to the greater planning effort involved in booking and coordinating scheduled flights. In addition, there are relatively few direct flights abroad from Berlin compared to other European capital airports such as London or Paris. These factors favor the decision to use the air force, even if this entails higher costs for the taxpayer.
Conclusion: A necessary but controversial practice
The use of the Bundeswehr's aircraft and helicopters for official purposes by the federal government is a necessary instrument for carrying out government tasks, especially in an international context. However, there is justified criticism of the frequency and the associated costs. While the empty flights may be justified as part of logistical planning and training, the question remains whether, in times of cost-cutting and climate debates, more efficient solutions cannot be found to reduce these flights.
The government's decision to make frequent use of the air force represents a balance between practical needs and public perception. It will be interesting to see whether the federal government considers adjusting the use of these resources in the future to take into account both practical needs and public concerns.
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