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Mönchengladbach

Strategic expansion of Mönchengladbach as an aerospace location

Amely Mizzi February 16, 2026 12:36

Mönchengladbach Airport (MGL) underscored its position as a major innovation hub in North Rhine-Westphalia with a high-level visit from state politicians. State Secretary Paul Höller from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy, along with former astronaut and space ambassador Reinhold Ewald, learned about the site's technological development. The focus was on networking between industry and research, as well as attracting specialized high-tech companies that aim to establish the airport as a "laboratory for the future," extending beyond traditional flight operations. A key pillar of MGL's economic stability is Rheinland Air Service GmbH (RAS), the largest employer at the airport, which provides comprehensive maintenance and repair services for international aviation. This portfolio is complemented by young technology companies such as The Exploration Company. At the site, this company utilizes additive manufacturing processes to produce high-performance metal components and alloys for the aerospace industry. This specialization in high-tech applications illustrates the airport's transformation from a purely commercial airfield to an integrated technology cluster. Since the city of Mönchengladbach fully acquired the airport in 2018, the site has experienced dynamic growth. The number of jobs has increased by approximately 43 percent to its current 829 employees across 47 resident companies. In addition to technological manufacturing, training remains a core business: with over 40.000 flight movements per year, six flight schools, and eleven flight simulators, MGL is one of the leading training centers for commercial pilots in Germany. Management emphasizes that the combination of traditional business aviation and new aerospace applications forms the basis for future value creation. The state government considers the airport to be of high strategic importance for regional economic policy.

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Air traffic control costs: Federal government extends support for regional airports

Belinda Borg 24 November 2025 12:09

At the budget reconciliation meeting on November 13, 2025, the federal government decided to continue supporting regional airports in so-called Fee Zone 2 with €50 million in 2026. These funds serve as compensation for air traffic control costs and also benefit airports such as Mönchengladbach Airport (MGL). The extension of funding by one year was strongly advocated by the regional airports and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) after the Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs (BMDV) had previously indicated it would discontinue the funding. Fee Zone 2, introduced under the Air Traffic Control Arrival and Departure Cost Reimbursement Ordinance (FSAAKV), aims to reduce the structural competitive disadvantages faced by smaller airports compared to the major commercial airports in Fee Zone 1. Without this support, regional airports would have to bear their air traffic control costs entirely on their own, which could lead to significant financial difficulties for some locations. For Mönchengladbach Airport, which, with nearly 50.000 flight movements annually, is one of the most important general aviation airports in Germany, the loss of these funds would represent a massive external cost burden, hindering future development. Although the approval of the funds for 2026 is considered an important initial success, the city and the airport company Mönchengladbach are demanding a permanent funding guarantee beyond the coming year. Mayor Felix Heinrichs, who also chairs the MGL supervisory board, emphasized that the airport is a central component of the region's economic structure and that a clear perspective for reliability is essential. MGL Managing Director Andreas Ungar underlined that planning and investment security can only be guaranteed through permanent funding of fee category 2. MGL is considered by those responsible to be a significant driver of innovation and economic growth in the region.

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Mönchengladbach opens Europe's first public filling station for unleaded aviation fuel

Belinda Borg 24 October 2025 07:03

On October 22, 2025, Mönchengladbach Airport (MGL) opened Europe's first publicly accessible refueling station for the new, unleaded aviation fuel Swift 100R. General aviation at MGL can now use this innovative fuel as part of an initial test phase. The initial refueling was carried out in cooperation with the airport-based MG Flyers Luftfahrerschule GmbH. Swift 100R represents an alternative to conventional Avgas 100LL, as it is completely unleaded while offering the same motor octane rating (MON 100). This allows its use without technical modifications to the approved aircraft. Furthermore, the new fuel is miscible with existing grades. Swift 100R is approved based on a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC). The fuel is currently approved for all Cessna 172 S and R models, with approvals for numerous other aircraft types and engines expected shortly. Swift 100R is distributed in Europe by Bollinger Aviation. The company emphasizes that the commissioning of the first public filling station of its kind in Europe at MGL is a signal of progress and innovation in the field of fuel supply for general aviation. The introduction of unleaded avgas is becoming increasingly important in light of potential EU regulations banning tetraethyl lead (TEL). For Mönchengladbach Airport, which has already positioned itself as a pioneer in Germany through the permanent availability of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), the introduction of Swift 100R is a further strategic step. Airport Managing Director Andreas Ungar emphasizes that the cooperation with Swift Fuel and Bollinger Aviation demonstrates the company's active support of the transformation process in aviation.

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Aviation start-up Vini starts flight operations

Stephen Steiner September 3, 2025 06:34

A German aviation start-up, previously known as Flyv, has commenced commercial operations with a new name, Vini, and a clear commitment to technological innovation. As the company announced on its LinkedIn page, the maiden flight took place on the new route between Friedrichshafen and Mönchengladbach. With a business model based on artificial intelligence (AI) and real-time demand, Vini aims to occupy a niche in European air transport: serving regional airports that are increasingly neglected by major scheduled airlines. The start of operations marks a crucial milestone for the young company, which had previously secured initial funding to implement its innovative approach. A Change in Concept: From Flyv to Vini and the Launch of Scheduled Flights The decision to rename itself Vini marks a strategic realignment of the company. While the name Flyv still generally described flying, Vini indicates a new phase of the company's development, focusing on its core concept. The launch of commercial flights is the result of months of preparation and negotiations. The first flight, established between Friedrichshafen on Lake Constance and Mönchengladbach on the Lower Rhine, is a symbol of Vini's business concept. It is a direct connection between two regional centers not served by established airlines. The second route, from Mönchengladbach to Hof-Plauen, further illustrates this concept. These flight routes are generally too short or too light for large airlines, which rely on mass-market routes and hub-to-hub traffic. Instead, Vini targets the transportation needs of business travelers.

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Mönchengladbach Airport and Albatross cooperate on infrastructure

Jan Gruber September 3, 2025 04:01

Mönchengladbach Airport and Albatross have announced a strategic partnership. The collaboration will involve the development of infrastructure for energy, mobility, and logistics. A key component of the collaboration is the planning of photovoltaic systems with battery storage. Furthermore, the development of charging and refueling infrastructure for future aircraft types and electric ground vehicles will be advanced. Another focus will be the integration of drone logistics and air taxi systems. The airport had previously engaged in research projects on new forms of mobility. The partnership is intended to strengthen the airport's position as a development location for modern aviation technologies. The goal is to develop the airport into a regional innovation center.

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Flyvbird launches connections from Mönchengladbach and Münster

Amely Mizzi August 13, 2025 14:09

The new German virtual airline Flyvbird will commence operations on September 1, 2025. The company will initially offer two new routes from Friedrichshafen Airport. The flights will run to Mönchengladbach and Münster. Five weekly flights are planned on each of these routes on weekdays. The flights will be operated by the charter airline Flyellow from Passau. They will use a Cessna C208 Caravan, a smaller turboprop aircraft that can accommodate up to nine passengers. Flyvbird's business model is based on offering regional flight connections not served by larger airlines. The flights will be marketed under flight numbers with the code "Q4," which belongs to the Spanish airline Euroairlines. This cooperation enables Flyvbird to offer its flights through global booking systems for travel agencies. The launch of the new connections represents a revival of regional air traffic for Mönchengladbach and Münster airports. The Cessna C208 Caravan's design makes it well-suited for operations at smaller airports, as it can also operate on shorter runways. The company Flyvbird uses an AI-supported platform to flexibly adapt flight schedules to demand. According to the company, further expansion of the route network is planned after the launch of flights from Friedrichshafen. The partnership with Flyellow and Euroairlines is intended to lay the foundation for a more flexible and customer-oriented offering in regional air transport.

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New player on the horizon: Flyvbird launches charter flights between German regional airports

Amely Mizzi August 4, 2025 12:49

The German aviation landscape is preparing for a new player. The virtual airline Flyv, which operates from Stuttgart, has announced that its charter and on-demand services under the Flyvbird brand will commence operations on September 1, 2025. The flights, which will connect selected German regional airports, will be operated by the German air carrier owner (AOC holder) Flyellow. The aircraft will be a dedicated Cessna Grand Caravan EX. This new service marks a strategic step to improve connectivity in regions that have previously been inadequately connected to the national air network. Flyvbird's business model, which focuses on utilizing smaller, decentralized airports and responds to demand, could usher in a new era for regional mobility in Germany. A flexible concept for regional aviation. Flyvbird's concept differs significantly from that of traditional scheduled airlines. It is a so-called virtual airline that does not own its own aircraft or pilots, but relies on the services of an air carrier (AOC) owner. In this case, Passau-based Flyellow is the operating partner, which will operate the charter and on-demand flights. Flyvbird's business model is based on the principle of on-demand air mobility. Instead of setting rigid flight schedules for specific routes, the company uses its own proprietary algorithms. These algorithms analyze passenger demand and optimize flight routes and capacity utilization in real time. This should make it possible to bundle decentralized traffic flows and respond flexibly to travelers' needs. The goal is to significantly reduce travel time compared to conventional means of transport such as cars or trains.

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FlyV launches Europe's first AI-driven on-demand airline at Lake Constance Airport

Belinda Borg July 4, 2025 10:02

The airline FlyV will commence operations at Lake Constance Airport Friedrichshafen in September 2025, establishing Europe's first fully AI-controlled on-demand airline. This was recently announced by flyvbird, the company behind the innovative flight model. The launch in Friedrichshafen marks the beginning of a Europe-wide mobility network that will combine fixed scheduled connections with flexible on-demand flights. Initially, fixed scheduled connections will be offered from Friedrichshafen to Mönchengladbach and Berlin-Strausberg, each three times a week. The core of the business model is a dynamic, AI-supported algorithm. This algorithm is designed to enable flights to be realized on demand, with founder and managing director Tomislav Lang emphasizing that every booking guarantees a flight—whether scheduled or spontaneous—to anywhere in Europe. This innovative concept aims to reactivate regional airports and shorten travel times. The choice of Friedrichshafen as a location was made following detailed market analyses and in close cooperation with Lake Constance Airport. Friedrichshafen was chosen as an ideal location for innovation, not only because of its historical significance in aviation, but also because of its strategic location in the border triangle of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland and its openness to new concepts. From this starting point, FlyV plans to gradually expand throughout Europe, with destinations such as Cologne, Basel, Verona, and Bordeaux. Flights are already available for booking. FlyV's mission is to connect regions that have previously been left behind by air transport. The company invites airports, regions, and communities throughout Germany and Europe to join this network. The airline claims it can quickly and efficiently open new routes. The concept of a fully AI-controlled on-demand airline is a first in European air transport.

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Mönchengladbach Airport with positive annual result and growth path

Stephen Steiner 21 May 2025 04:05

Mönchengladbach Airport (MGL) continues its upward trend, presenting further improvements and an increase in the number of jobs in its 2024 annual results. MGL is thus building on the positive developments of previous years. Mayor Felix Heinrichs, Chairman of the Airport's Supervisory Board, sees these figures as confirmation of the direction the airport has taken. The airport's focus is on promoting innovation and attracting future-oriented companies. Mönchengladbach Airport is proving to be a significant employer in the region, and the number is growing. In 2024, 801 people were employed directly at the airport and in the companies located there, an increase compared to 787 in the previous year. Particularly encouraging is the significant increase in the number of trainees from 47 to 70, an increase of approximately 50 percent. Managing Director Dr. Ulrich Schückhaus emphasizes the positive signaling effect of this growth in light of the shortage of skilled workers and the strengthening of the location as an employer and economic region. The airport is focusing on both the expansion of existing operations in the maintenance and training areas and the establishment of new, innovative companies in the aviation sector. The innovation cluster at MGL is growing continuously. At the beginning of 2025, Thrustworks, a company specializing in the processing of high-performance alloys using 3D printing for the aerospace and other high-tech industries, opened its new location at the airport and plans to expand to 2027 jobs by 15. In 2024, Germandrones GmbH, a specialist in unmanned aerial systems, decided to establish a production and development site at MGL. The company manufactures parts for its drones and tests them on-site on almost 530 square meters of production space. Managing Director Andreas Ungar highlights the

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Mönchengladbach hosted a conference for the aviation industry

Stephen Steiner 19 May 2025 13:06

Mönchengladbach Airport (MGL) once again hosted a major aviation industry event. The members' meeting of the Interest Group of Regional Airports (IDRF) took place in the Hugo Junkers Hangar on May 13 and 14, 2025. For the first time, the conference was held jointly with the German Helicopter Association (DHV), which held its meeting in parallel. The focus of the two-day event was an exchange on current challenges and new perspectives in air mobility. Numerous representatives of regional airports from across Germany used the conference in Mönchengladbach to exchange ideas on operational, infrastructural, and regulatory topics. Another key topic of discussion was the role of regional airports in the context of climate protection, digitalization, and innovative mobility solutions such as urban air mobility. The Managing Directors of Mönchengladbach Airport, Andreas Ungar and Dr. Ulrich Schückhaus, expressed their delight at the successful organization of the conference. Ungar emphasized the indispensability of regional airports for the German aviation system, as they ensure accessibility, create jobs, and are increasingly becoming centers of innovation for new forms of mobility. Schückhaus emphasized that the joint organization with the German Aviation and Aviation Association (DHV) underscores the growing importance of Mönchengladbach Airport as a place for exchange and future topics in aviation. The Hugo Junkers Hangar has once again proven itself to be an attractive and suitable event location.

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