Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR)
DLR is the national aeronautics and space research center of the Federal Republic of Germany. Its extensive research and development work in aeronautics, space, energy, transport and security is integrated into national and international cooperative ventures. In addition to its own research, as Germany’s space agency, DLR has been given responsibility by the federal government for the planning and implementation of the German space programme. DLR is also the umbrella organisation for the nation’s largest project management agency.
DLR has approximately 8000 employees at 16 locations in Germany: Cologne (headquarters), Augsburg, Berlin, Bonn, Braunschweig, Bremen, Goettingen, Hamburg, Juelich, Lampoldshausen, Neustrelitz, Oberpfaffenhofen, Stade, Stuttgart, Trauen, and Weilheim. DLR also has offices in Brussels, Paris, Tokyo and Washington D.C.
DLR’s mission comprises the exploration of Earth and the Solar System and research for protecting the environment. This includes the development of environment-friendly technologies for energy supply and future mobility, as well as for communications and security. DLR’s research portfolio ranges from fundamental research to the development of products for tomorrow. In this way, DLR contributes the scientific and technical expertise that it has acquired to the enhancement of Germany as a location for industry and technology. DLR operates major research facilities for its own projects and as a service for clients and partners. It also fosters the development of the next generation of researchers, provides expert advisory services to government and is a driving force in the regions where its facilities are located.
DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH (DFS)
DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH is responsible for air traffic control in Germany and is headquartered in the town of Langen close to Frankfurt. It is a company organised under private law and 100% owned by the Federal Republic of Germany. Founded in 1993, DFS is the successor to the Federal Administration of Air Navigation Services (BFS), a government authority. The German Constitution and the German Aviation Act (LuftVG) had to be amended by the Bundestag to make this possible.
In Germany, military and civil air traffic controllers work side by side. Since 1994, DFS has been responsible for the handling of both civil and military air traffic in peacetime. Only military aerodromes are exempted from this integration.
Throughout Germany, DFS is represented at 16 international airports, and at nine regional airports by its subsidiary The Tower Company. Controlling air traffic from the towers and control centres is the core business of the German air navigation service provider.
Hamburg Airport (FHG)
Hamburg Airport serves 14.76 million passengers per year, representing more than 150,000 take-offs and landings. Passengers can choose their destination from a wide-ranging route network: More than 60 airlines fly from Hamburg, serving 120 domestic and international routes. Around 15,000 people are employed by the almost 250 companies active on the airport site (including 1,841employed by the airport itself). The partially-privatised airport is owned by the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg (51 per cent) and AviAlliance GmbH (49 per cent).