This year's leader in the VC airport check is Munich Airport, which can win first place due to its very good equipment, including ILS-DME transmitters on all runways. These transmitters enable safe approaches even under very poor weather conditions. However, Leipzig-Halle Airport has caught up and set an exclamation point by renovating the northern runway, including the runway lighting on fast exit exits, which is unique in Germany, using so-called RETILs and new Yellow Runway Edge Lights. Stuttgart Airport took third place with good results.

“Even if operations at many airports are again struggling with major challenges this year, the level of security remains at a very good level. The airports are well prepared in terms of their equipment for the increasing traffic movements and are also investing in new equipment or optimizing processes through systematic improvements," says Mattias Baier, spokesman for the Cockpit Association. "Nevertheless, we hope that the upswing that will hopefully follow will also be used in the coming years to install even more far-reaching improvements such as 24/7 stop bars or runway status lights in order to remain state-of-the-art."

But some other airports have also introduced notable changes. First and foremost is Heringsdorf Airport, where the approach lights have been renewed and new stop bars have been installed. The installation of the stopbars is of crucial importance in avoiding runway incursions, which represent one of the primary potential hazards at airports.

The Airport and Ground Environment (AGE) working group of the Cockpit Association has been subjecting German commercial airports to an annual security check since 1978. Since 1996, regional airports have also been included in the study, insofar as significant scheduled flights take place there. The basis for the investigation is a catalog of criteria that is continuously adapted to the changing requirements, which not only includes the international regulations, but also the airport equipment that is useful from the pilot's point of view and necessary for optimal safety.