The German Federal Ministry of Defense's air transport wing is once again at the center of a debate about the operational efficiency and deployment of its fleet. New figures from the Ministry of Defense, released following a parliamentary inquiry by the Left Party, reveal that in the second half of 2025, the number of flights without official government representatives significantly exceeded the number of delegations transported.
Between May 6, 2025, the day the federal government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz took office, and the end of the year, 488 flights carrying cabinet members or the Federal President were recorded. However, these are contrasted by 700 so-called standby flights. This discrepancy between passenger flights and empty flights fuels the political debate surrounding the continued operation of Cologne-Wahn Airport and the general use of government transport resources during times of tight budgets.
Structure and stationing as cost drivers
The core of the problem lies in the geographical separation between the seat of government and the home base of the German Air Force's VIP transport squadron. While political operations are almost entirely concentrated in Berlin, the majority of the aircraft and personnel of the 1st Air Transport Wing remain stationed at Cologne/Bonn Airport. A standby flight is always necessary when an aircraft has to fly from Cologne to Berlin-Brandenburg to pick up the Chancellor, a minister, or the President. After completing a trip, the aircraft often return to Cologne without passengers, unless there is an immediate connecting mission.
Critics like MP Dietmar Bartsch describe this regulation as an expensive design flaw that has existed since the government moved from Bonn to Berlin over three decades ago. While there is a branch of the German Air Force's VIP transport squadron in Berlin with helicopters for short-haul flights, the large long- and medium-haul aircraft, such as the Airbus A350 or the A321neoLR, are based in North Rhine-Westphalia. The Ministry of Defense regularly defends this practice by pointing to the existing maintenance infrastructure there and the use of empty flights for pilot training.
Statistical distribution of flight movements
The detailed breakdown of flight movements reveals a clear disparity between government ministries. The Federal Chancellery leads the way in VIP fleet usage with 106 flights since May 2025. This reflects the high volume of travel undertaken by the head of government in a geopolitically volatile climate. Closely following is the Federal Foreign Office, headed by the Foreign Minister, with 96 flights. The Federal President used the government's air transport service 66 times during the same period for state visits and official functions.
At the bottom of the scale is the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, which only used the squadron's services twice. These figures illustrate that the use of the government's air transport wing remains primarily an instrument of top-level politics and diplomacy. Nevertheless, the opposition criticizes the frequency of its use. An average of more than one flight per day by government members is, according to Bartsch, a level that is difficult to justify given the current economic situation. The demand for increased use of scheduled flights or rail travel is cited as an alternative to reduce the costs for the special fund and the regular defense budget.
Training and further education as an operational necessity
The Ministry of Defense counters the criticism by arguing that flight hours without passengers should not be considered a pure waste. Pilots of the German Air Force's VIP transport squadron are subject to strict certification regulations and must complete a certain number of flight hours and landings to maintain their licenses. Therefore, deployment flights are often declared as training flights. These flights involve practicing specific maneuvers that cannot be performed in the presence of high-ranking state guests. These include, for example, instrument approaches under challenging conditions or training in emergency procedures.
Nevertheless, the argument remains that relocating to Berlin could make these training flights more efficient. However, moving the entire infrastructure, including maintenance facilities and staff accommodation, would require initial investments in the billions. Previous cost-benefit analyses have concluded that the costs of constructing a completely new base in Berlin would outweigh the savings from eliminating empty flights over many years. Therefore, the logistical triangle between Cologne, Berlin, and destinations worldwide will remain in place for the time being.
Comparison with international standards
In international comparison, Germany is not alone in its practice of separate basing of aircraft, but it occupies a special position. In the USA, Air Force One is based at Joint Base Andrews, which is directly adjacent to Washington, D.C. France also concentrates its government fleet at Paris-Villacoublay Airport, in close proximity to the capital. The German situation is historically determined by the federal structure and the gradual closure of the Bonn base.
The debate surrounding government aircraft use is also a debate about the image of politics. While the government emphasizes the need for fast, secure, and tap-proof communication during travel, which can only be guaranteed in government-owned aircraft, public criticism focuses on the visual impact of empty planes in the sky. The transparency reports, which are now published regularly following parliamentary inquiries, have led to increased sensitivity regarding flight planning within government ministries.
Future developments and modernization
The German Air Force's VIP transport squadron has undergone a comprehensive fleet modernization in recent years. With the commissioning of three Airbus A350-900s, the Bundeswehr now boasts one of the most modern government fleets worldwide. These aircraft are more powerful and reliable than their predecessors, the A340, which were prone to breakdowns. This increased reliability should help reduce the number of reserve aircraft required, which could theoretically lower the number of deployment flights.
Despite more modern technology, the fundamental logistical decision remains politically sensitive. As long as aircraft have to be requested from Cologne for every mission in Berlin, the number of empty flights will remain high. The Ministry of Defense will continue to have to explain how the ratio of 700 deployment flights to 488 passenger flights can be reconciled with the goal of efficient budget management. Parliamentary scrutiny through inquiries, such as those initiated by the Left Party, remains an essential instrument for uncovering and debating the cost structures of state representation.