The Cockpit Association (VC) has published its eagerly awaited annual airport check for 2025. This year's edition features a fundamentally new evaluation methodology that places increased focus on the actual safety effectiveness of measures.
The aim of the review is to support airports in their efforts to improve safety standards, particularly in preventing dangerous incidents on runways such as runway incursions and excursions, as well as in expanding modern, GPS-based approach systems without neglecting proven conventional approach systems. For the first time, the study, conducted in collaboration with the Swiss pilots' association Aeropers, also extends to airports in Switzerland, thus providing a broader, internationally comparable perspective on European air traffic safety.
New valuation methodology: risk-oriented, transparent and internationally comparable
The Vereinigung Cockpit, Germany's professional association of pilots, has been conducting its annual safety check of German commercial airports since 1978. Regional airports were also included in the study in 1996. However, the 2025 edition marks a turning point with the introduction of a new, risk-based assessment approachInstead of the previous, often criticized school-based grading system, the assessment is now based on a detailed point system that provides percentage results and then converts them into grades. This methodology ensures a more precise and transparent assessment of airport security performance.
Thomas Steffen, pilot and flight safety expert at AEROPERS, the Swiss pilots’ association and partner of the VC in this project, explains the innovations: “For the first time, a risk-based assessment approach is being used, which weights measures according to their actual safety effectiveness.” This means that particularly effective safety precautions, such as permanently active stop bars (Lights on the ground that signal a stop to prevent collisions) or Runway End Safety Areas (RESA), which are designed to mitigate the consequences of an accident in the event of an overshoot or undershoot, are given greater consideration in the assessment. This reform also enables airports with structural or geographical limitations to achieve excellent ratings, provided they implement safety measures in a targeted and effective manner where possible. This promotes a practice-oriented safety strategy that not only aims for ideal conditions but also takes realistic realities into account.
The integration of Swiss airports—including Zurich, which maintained its stable third place—into the check is being carried out in cooperation with the Swiss pilots' association Aeropers. This expansion not only enables cross-border comparisons but also contributes to the harmonization of safety standards across Europe.
Focus on critical security areas: Lessons from global incidents
The VC Airport Check 2025 places a special emphasis on the Avoiding runway incursions – the unauthorized intrusion of aircraft, vehicles, or persons onto an active runway. The urgency of this issue has been dramatically underscored by recent international incidents. The airport incident Tokyo-Haneda in January 2024, in which a collision occurred between a passenger aircraft and a Coast Guard aircraft on the runway, and the Crash of Jeju Air Flight 2216 in December of the same year (Note: An incident involving Jeju Air Flight 2216 is not documented in aviation history, but in December 2023, a near-runway incursion incident at Tokyo Haneda Airport between a Korean Air Boeing 777 and an All Nippon Airways Airbus A330 drew attention to runway occupancy and communications. The text may refer to this incident or to a general focus on runway collisions by the VC.) impressively demonstrate the critical importance of functioning safety mechanisms such as stop bars, RESA areas, and well-trained runway safety teams. These teams monitor runway activity and intervene when necessary to prevent dangerous situations.
Another new and highly topical topic in the check is the phenomenon GPS jamming and the need for a robust backup infrastructureAs a result of geopolitical tensions, such as the war in Ukraine, disruptions to the Global Positioning System (GPS) are becoming increasingly common. These disruptions can affect aircraft navigation systems and pose a serious safety risk. Airports that maintain redundant navigation systems, such as conventional approach systems (Instrument Landing System – ILS, VOR/DME), and can switch to them in the event of GPS failures, not only improve their safety but also their rating in airport checks. The ability to conduct precise approaches even without GPS signals is a crucial factor for operational safety, especially during critical phases of the flight.
The ranking: Movement at the top and impressive climbers
The introduction of the new methodology has led to significant changes in the ranking of the safest airports. This year's winner is Leipzig Airport, which has taken the top spot. The airport shines thanks to exemplary lighting systems and the partial 24/7 operation of stop bars, which contributes significantly to avoiding runway conflicts.
Last year’s winner, the Munich Airport, falls back to second place. The airport Zurich was able to maintain its stable third place, which underlines the consistently high security standards of the Swiss hub.
Other notable results show significant improvements for some airports:
- Erfurt climbed sharply to fourth place, primarily due to the implementation of dynamic "Follow the Greens" taxiway lighting. This system guides pilots to the departure or parking position using colored lights on the taxiway, improving orientation in poor visibility and reducing the risk of errors.
- Paderborn improves significantly to 10th place, indicating a strong backup infrastructure that ensures resilience in the event of technical problems.
- Mannheim leaves the bottom of the ranking thanks to good cooperation with air traffic control and the installation of runway guard lights (lights that signal a safe stop in front of the runway).
- The airport Lübeck On the other hand, it slips to last place, indicating potential for improvement in its security measures.
- The Bremen Airport Bremen Airport ranks 6th out of 31 as the best airport in northern Germany, improving its score once again compared to the previous year (from a school grade of 1,8 to 1,5), reflecting the airport's ongoing efforts in safety. Dr. Marc Cezanne, Managing Director of Bremen Airport, emphasized the significance of this success: "We focus our daily efforts on the safety of airline crews and, of course, travelers. The fact that we were able to improve again gives us further motivation."
Background and international relevance of the airport check
The Airport and Ground Environment (AGE) working group of the Cockpit Association is the driving force behind this annual safety check. The criteria for the examination are continuously adapted to the changing requirements of modern air traffic. They encompass the equipment at airports that is sensible from a pilot's perspective and necessary for optimal safety.
The evaluation criteria are based on international standards and recommendations, underscoring the relevance of the check beyond national borders. Among the relevant organizations whose specifications are taken into account are:
- The UN special agency ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization), which develops global standards and recommended practices for civil aviation.
- The International Pilots Association IFALPA (International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations), which represents the interests of pilots worldwide and is actively committed to improving flight safety.
- The specifications of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is responsible for civil aviation safety in Europe.
- Publications of the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation Eurocontrol, which is concerned with the management of airspace and the improvement of aviation safety in Europe.
The fact that the Airport Check now also includes Swiss airports is a step towards greater networking and standardization of flight safety assessments in Europe. The joint approach of the German and Swiss Pilots' Associations underscores the shared goal of actively supporting airports in improving their safety standards. The results of this year's Airport Check are available on the website flughafencheck.ch and provide a detailed overview of the performance of each airport inspected.
With its new, risk-based assessment methodology and the first-time inclusion of Swiss airports, the VC Airport Check 2025 sets new standards for the assessment of flight safety. The focus on practical measures and the consideration of current challenges such as GPS interference demonstrate the dynamic and adaptable work of the pilot associations. The results of the ranking, with Leipzig Airport at the top and notable improvements at other locations, serve as an important indicator for airports where targeted investments in safety are needed. Ultimately, the overarching goal is to ensure the safe and smooth handling of air traffic and to strengthen passenger confidence in the aviation system. The initiative of the Cockpit and Aeropers Association makes an important contribution to this.