Thanks for all good tips. EDDS and LFGA might be good alternatives for me enroute between Berlin and Perpignan. I will research further.
I see the letter above is dated 3 march, and I don’t understand much German, so I’ll have to dig into the customs regulations further to see if the changes you mention already apply to us coming from Norway. Norwegian customs might have an opinion as well.
Norway is non-EU, but Schengen. We have had a Scandinavian customs union for a long time, meaning that there has been in place simplified customs rules between Norway, Denmark and Sweden. So usually we would just make a stop there, and then continuing further into the rest of the EU was no issue. But going directly was. But if this is now changed this year nothing would make me happier. :)
The uploaded pdf is the update by German customs on the “new” regulation (German only). However, there seems to be a sort of grey zone as some airfields “insist” on customs declaration currently (i.e. Donaueschingen), saying as they have customs on the airfield they need to run the customs procedure irrespective of the updated regulation……… (maybe that will change soon).
But well, as Sebastian wrote above, the net message is, as long you don’t have anything to declare, coming from Norway or Switzerland, you don’t need German customs anymore….
+1 for Colmar as fuel stop…
bogivara wrote:
Coming from Norway (non-EU) I will either need another stop on the way, or a customs airport.
Actually a new EU law means you no longer require customs. You self declare by flying over the border. Customs basically stopped operations at my home base EDAZ because of that.
BUT you still need immigration. That is currently PPR at EDAZ because of staff issues.
And you have restaurants within walking distance of LFGA.
From personal experiece I’d suggest:
- EDAZ Schoenhagen for Berlin. They take you to the local train station by the airport minibus and it took us about 30 min to the center of Berlin. Immigration is 24h PPR by notam. Customs is PPR as well.
- LFGA Colmar for intermediate stop. Colmar medieval city is really a gem and recommended to visit…. say 20 min. to the center by local bus. The station is in front of the terminal.
Both airports had low landing fees and no compulsory handling (in 2021).
bogivara wrote:
But it is likely to be 4h30m or more, and I find when flying with my familiy, including two kids, 3 hours is pretty much what they can stand being stuck in their seats…
Mine used to sleep but you’re right – it’s better to make stop rather that have demanding situation in the cabin 
bogivara wrote:
But as far as I understand there are no customs and immigration, while you can arrange that at EDAZ.
It can be arranged at EDAY as well – I flew few times there from Croatia and needed immigration.
EDDS is on your route. It shouldn’t be expensive – I remember it wasn’t in the past (IIRC below 30€ for landing) but I don’t know if there are any handling charges if you make just refueling/toilet stop.
Luxembourg has become “less welcoming” and “more expensive” and PPR for GA. The 50% off is (was?) for a fuel stop, which means your family ain’t getting off the plane for lunch.
Colmar LFGA has a good reputation. I went to Strasbourg LFST back in 2017, and it was no handling no hassle. Just show yourself out of the door (at the other side of the airport far away from commercials and … the waiting taxi row), and show licence (possibly to a camera, I might confuse with another French airport) to get back to airplane.
If it’s DA42 (guessing from your profile) then I would not make a break Berlin to Perpignan.
I have experience only with EDAY and I can recommend it because of cheap and frequent train connection to Berlin.
It is indeed a DA42, and we can get all the way no problem. But it is likely to be 4h30m or more, and I find when flying with my familiy, including two kids, 3 hours is pretty much what they can stand being stuck in their seats…
Aubenas – is that LFJF? It might be a bit too far south. Would still be a 3h30m ride from Berlin. Luxembourg might be a cool stop, but a little off route. I’ll consider that on the return route going back to the nordics.
Regarding Berlin, it seems EDAY has better transport options to Berlin, and I’ve heard good things about it. But as far as I understand there are no customs and immigration, while you can arrange that at EDAZ. Coming from Norway (non-EU) I will either need another stop on the way, or a customs airport. Of course I can make a lunch stop in Denmark, but that will probably consume more time than whatever I win by a better commute in Berlin. But then again, we can make it a nice stop. Am I right in thinking that both airports are GA friendly and relatively smooth?
I understand EDDB Brandenburg is about €1000 in handling and airport charges. My friend landed there in a DA40 last year, but at that cost it is disqualified by me…
If it’s DA42 (guessing from your profile) then I would not make a break Berlin to Perpignan.
I have experience only with EDAY and I can recommend it because of cheap and frequent train connection to Berlin.
