5 Critical Ways The Direction Générale De L'Aviation Civile (DGAC) Is Reshaping Global Air Travel In 2025

The Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), France's powerful civil aviation authority, is currently at the forefront of a seismic shift in European airspace management and environmental policy, with its 2025 agenda marking a pivotal moment for the industry. This central government body, operating under the French Ministry of Ecological Transition, is not merely a regulator; it is an active driver of technological innovation, safety standards, and the ambitious decarbonization goals set for the sector.

As of December 17, 2025, the DGAC's focus is sharply divided between implementing the latest European regulations, pioneering Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) initiatives, and integrating advanced technologies like Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) into a complex, high-density airspace. The recent change in leadership signals a renewed push for efficiency and green transformation, making the DGAC a key entity to watch for anyone involved in aviation, from major airlines to drone operators.

The DGAC Leadership and Core Organizational Pillars

While the DGAC is an institution, its direction is steered by key leadership and specialized agencies that execute its broad mandate. The structure is designed to ensure a seamless balance between air navigation services, regulatory oversight, and safety enforcement across French territory and its overseas departments.

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Key Leadership Profile

• Chems Chkioua: The newly appointed Director-General, succeeding Damien Cazé, Mr. Chkioua brings a background focused on air navigation services and airport operations. His mandate is heavily centered on modernizing the organization and accelerating France’s commitment to the Single European Sky (SES) initiative.
• Damien Cazé: Former Director-General, known for guiding the DGAC through the post-pandemic recovery and laying the groundwork for the current environmental and digital transformation projects.

The Three Core Directorates

The DGAC's operational and regulatory power is distributed across three main pillars, crucial for maintaining the highest standards of safety and efficiency:

• Direction des Services de la Navigation Aérienne (DSNA): This is France’s Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP). The DSNA is Europe's largest ANSP by traffic volume and is responsible for air traffic control (ATC), communications, and air information services. It manages the five en-route Air Navigation Centers (CRNAs), including the major centers at Aix-en-Provence and Athis-Mons.
• Direction de la Sécurité de l'Aviation Civile (DSAC): The Civil Aviation Safety Directorate is the single national authority for safety and security surveillance. The DSAC is responsible for certification, monitoring, and enforcement of national and European regulations (EASA) across airlines, airports, and personnel. It operates through nine regional entities (DSAC/IR).
• Direction du Transport Aérien (DTA): Focuses on economic regulation, air transport policy, slot coordination, and international agreements, ensuring the economic viability and competitiveness of the French aviation sector.

The 2025 Green Transformation: Decarbonization and SAF Mandates

The DGAC is playing a central role in the European Union’s ambitious "Fit for 55" package, particularly concerning the aviation sector's environmental footprint. The push for decarbonization is the single most important long-term project for the DGAC in 2025.

France, through the DGAC and the Civil Aeronautics Research Council (CORAC), has initiated several key programs to support the transition to green aviation. These initiatives are focused on meeting the targets for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blending and developing next-generation propulsion systems.

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Specific projects include:

• Hybrid-Electric Propulsion Research: The DGAC is actively supporting a major French aerospace consortium that is developing a hybrid-electric propulsion architecture for light aircraft, a critical step towards zero-emission regional travel.
• The DECOR Project: A research initiative launched by the DGAC to develop and optimize new digital solutions by 2025. This project aims to test technologies that lower the overall environmental impact of air traffic management, contributing to a more efficient flight path management.
• SAF Policy Implementation: The DGAC is tasked with implementing national laws and European regulations that require a minimum percentage of SAF to be blended with traditional jet fuel, working closely with industrial partners and the CleanBridge initiative to scale up production and distribution.

Navigating the New Airspace: Drone and UAS Regulation Updates

The rapid proliferation of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), or drones, has necessitated continuous updates to airspace regulations. The DGAC has been proactive in this area, ensuring safety remains paramount while fostering innovation in the burgeoning drone industry.

The regulatory framework in 2025 is largely driven by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulations, which the DGAC transposes into French national law. Key updates include:

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• Mandatory Registration: All drone pilots operating UAS over 250 grams must register online with the DGAC. Furthermore, drones weighing less than 250g that are equipped with a camera also require registration.
• UAS Operations Guide Version 1.5: The DGAC has published the latest version of its guide to UAS operations, clarifying rules on drone classification, altitude limits, and mandatory training for professional pilots. This ensures harmonization with the pan-European U-Space concept for managing drone traffic.
• Integration Challenges: The DSNA is collaborating on projects to safely integrate drone traffic into controlled airspace, a complex technical and regulatory challenge that is critical for the future of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) and drone delivery services.

The DGAC’s Role in European and Global Aviation Security

As a founding member of the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) and a key partner of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the DGAC's influence extends far beyond France's borders. Its collaborative efforts are vital for the security and efficiency of the entire European air traffic network.

The DGAC is a central player in the realization of the Single European Sky (SES), an ambitious European initiative aimed at reforming the architecture of air traffic management (ATM) to enhance safety, capacity, and efficiency. The DSNA, in particular, is a major contributor to the SESAR Joint Undertaking, the technological pillar of SES, which develops new ATM solutions.

In terms of safety and security, the DGAC/DSAC works closely with EASA to enforce common rules, including the latest cybersecurity protocols for Air Traffic Management systems and airport operations. The recent convening of an unprecedented working group in early 2025 to address a specific rise in safety-related incidents underscores the DGAC's commitment to maintaining France's impeccable safety record.

Topical Authority and Key Entities in the DGAC Ecosystem

The DGAC’s operational reach is defined by a network of partners, projects, and regulations. Understanding these entities is key to grasping the full scope of the French civil aviation authority's influence:

• European Partners: EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency), Eurocontrol, ECAC (European Civil Aviation Conference), ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization).
• National Agencies & Programs: DSNA (Air Navigation Services), DSAC (Safety and Security), CORAC (Civil Aeronautics Research Council), ENAC (École Nationale de l'Aviation Civile - the national civil aviation school).
• Technical & Policy Entities: UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems), U-Space, SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel), ATM (Air Traffic Management), SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research), CRNA (Regional Air Navigation Center).
• Research Projects (2025 Focus): DECOR (Digital solutions for environmental impact), BANKSIA (a key milestone project in engineering), LFR (Light Flight Recorder research).
• Regulatory Frameworks: Single European Sky (SES), Fit for 55 (EU Climate Package), ICAO State Action Plan.
• Operational Hubs: Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), Paris-Orly Airport (ORY), Direction Interrégionale de la Sécurité de l'Aviation Civile (DSAC/IR).

The Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile is more than just a national regulator; it is a vital organ in the global aviation body. Its aggressive pursuit of decarbonization, digital transformation, and modern airspace integration in 2025 confirms its status as a critical institution shaping the next era of safe, efficient, and sustainable air travel.