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7 Critical Ways France's DGAC Is Reshaping European Skies In 2025

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The Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), France's powerful civil aviation authority, is currently navigating one of its most transformative periods, marked by significant leadership changes, aggressive decarbonization mandates, and the complex integration of new aerospace technologies. As of late 2025, the agency stands at the forefront of European efforts to modernize air traffic management (ATM) and achieve ambitious environmental targets, making its policy decisions crucial for the entire continent's aerospace industry. Its mission—to ensure the safety, security, and economic balance of French air transport—is now deeply intertwined with the global push for sustainable aviation and the regulation of unmanned aerial systems (UAS). This deep dive reveals the most current and critical initiatives undertaken by the DGAC, highlighting its pivotal role in regulating everything from commercial airlines and major airports to cutting-edge drone operations and the future of hybrid-electric flight. The agency's strategic direction, particularly through its safety directorate (DSAC), outlines a fresh roadmap for the coming years, focusing on digital transformation and environmental responsibility.

The DGAC Leadership and Organizational Structure

The DGAC is a central administration of the French State, operating under the authority of the Ministry of Ecological Transition (Ministère de la Transition Écologique). It functions as France's air transport regulator and primary representative to international bodies such as ICAO and EASA.

Key DGAC Profile & Biography

  • Full Name: Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC)
  • English Translation: Directorate General for Civil Aviation
  • Parent Ministry: Ministry of Ecological Transition (Ministère de la Transition Écologique)
  • Headquarters: 50 rue Henry Farman, 75015 Paris, France
  • Primary Role: Ensuring the safety, security, and economic balance of French air transport, and overseeing air navigation services.
  • Current Managing Director (DG): Damien Cazé (as of late 2025, though a transition is imminent)
  • Incoming DG (Tipped): Chems Chkioua (a former expert in navigation services, expected to succeed Cazé)
  • Key Directorates: Direction de la Sécurité de l'Aviation Civile (DSAC - Safety), Direction des Services de la Navigation Aérienne (DSNA - Air Navigation Services), Direction du Transport Aérien (DTA - Air Transport).

1. The Imminent Leadership Transition: Cazé to Chkioua

A significant change at the top of the DGAC is currently underway. Damien Cazé, the current Managing Director, is reportedly first in line to head intelligence at the Cour des Comptes (the French Court of Audit), a move anticipated around June 2025. His likely successor is Chems Chkioua, an individual with a strong background in navigation services at major French airports. This transition is critical, as the new leadership will inherit the responsibility for executing major strategic plans like the "DSAC 2025" strategic plan and the national decarbonization roadmap. The shift signals a potential renewed focus on operational efficiencies within the air navigation sector.

2. Championing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Decarbonization

The DGAC has positioned itself as a key driver for the adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and the overall decarbonization of the aerospace sector, aligning with both French national goals and the European Union’s Fit for 55 package.

The ACT SAF Project and Global Coordination

France, through the DGAC, is actively coordinating with the European Union, EASA, and ICAO on the current ACT SAF Project. This project is central to scaling up sustainable investment and ensuring the viability of alternative fuels. The DGAC's involvement is crucial in translating European mandates into enforceable national regulations, pushing airlines and fuel suppliers to meet blending targets. The agency is a major contributor to the *European Aviation Environmental Report 2025*, underscoring its commitment to environmental transparency and progress.

Backing Hybrid-Electric Aircraft Innovation

In a massive step toward future flight technology, the DGAC is providing critical backing to a major collaborative research project focused on hybrid-electric aircraft. Announced in June 2025, this two-year initiative involves four major French aerospace entities: Daher, Safran, Collins, and Ascendance. The project is specifically aligned with the decarbonization goals set by the DGAC and CORAC (the French civil aeronautics research council). This support demonstrates a commitment to not just regulating current flight, but actively fostering the development of next-generation, low-emission aircraft technology.

3. Modernizing Air Traffic Management (ATM) and Safety

The core function of the DGAC—ensuring safe and efficient skies—is undergoing a significant overhaul through strategic planning and technological adoption.

The DSAC 2025 Strategic Plan

The Direction de la Sécurité de l'Aviation Civile (DSAC), the DGAC's safety arm, launched its new strategic plan, "DSAC 2025." This roadmap is designed to adapt the safety directorate to the rapidly evolving context of aviation, including new technologies, increased air traffic complexity, and the need for greater digital integration. The plan focuses on maintaining France’s high safety standards while streamlining regulatory processes for a more agile and competitive industry.

Navigating Industrial Relations and Air Traffic Strikes

Despite modernization efforts, the DGAC continues to face challenges in industrial relations. In August 2025, an air traffic controller strike was announced following a breakdown in dialogue with the DGAC. These industrial actions are a persistent issue that impacts air travel across Europe, as French airspace is a crucial hub. The DGAC's ability to successfully negotiate with the air traffic control unions (ATCU) is vital for maintaining the stability and reliability of the European air network.

4. The Dawn of U-space: Regulating Drone Airspace

Perhaps one of the most forward-looking recent actions by the DGAC is its aggressive push to regulate and integrate Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, into the national airspace.

First U-space Service Provider Certification

In a landmark decision in March 2025, the DGAC certified Innov'ATM as the first U-space service provider in France. U-space is the European framework for managing drone traffic safely in designated low-level airspace. This certification is a monumental step, as it formally opens the door for commercial drone operations, including drone delivery and advanced aerial inspection, by establishing the necessary digital infrastructure for traffic management. The DGAC is therefore a key enabler for the burgeoning drone economy in France.

5. International Influence and Bilateral Agreements

The DGAC’s influence extends far beyond French borders. It plays a foundational role in ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) and EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency), shaping global and regional standards.

2025 ICAO EUR/NAT DGCA Meeting

The DGAC is a central figure in the ICAO EUR/NAT (European/North Atlantic) region, hosting and participating in key meetings, such as the Directors General of Civil Aviation meeting in 2025. These forums are where crucial policy decisions on safety, security, and sustainability are harmonized across the region. Furthermore, the DGAC actively pursues bilateral cooperation, exemplified by the agreement signed with Kazakh aviation authorities in 2025 to deepen cooperation and technical expertise sharing. This demonstrates France’s commitment to exporting its regulatory expertise and fostering global aviation development.

6. Key Entities and LSI Keywords

The DGAC’s current work involves a complex network of entities and technical concepts that define the future of French aviation:
  • Regulatory Bodies: EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency), ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization), Eurocontrol (European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation).
  • National Bodies: DSAC (Direction de la Sécurité de l'Aviation Civile), DSNA (Direction des Services de la Navigation Aérienne), CORAC (Civil Aeronautics Research Council), Cour des Comptes.
  • Technological Focus: Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), U-space, Hybrid-Electric Aircraft, Air Traffic Management (ATM) Modernization, Common Project 1 (CP1), Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).
  • Industry Partners: Daher, Safran, Collins, Ascendance, Innov'ATM.
The DGAC is the critical nexus connecting national policy with international standards and industry innovation, making it a powerful force in global civil aviation. Its current strategic direction, heavily focused on environmental sustainability and the integration of new airspace users like drones, will set the precedent for regulatory bodies worldwide.
7 Critical Ways France's DGAC is Reshaping European Skies in 2025
direction générale aviation civile
direction générale aviation civile

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