Was does working at DFS mean to you?
"At DFS, people always take centre stage."
Michael Pfeifer
Head of Performance & Flow Management, Aviation Job Group, since 2002
The career so far
"Even after 22 years at DFS, I’m still learning.
I joined DFS after completing my compulsory alternative national service. I began my training as an air traffic controller and spent 18 months at the DFS Academy, followed by on-the-job training at the control centre in Langen. I ended up working as an air traffic controller in Langen for 17 years. I’ve always been interested in the topic of training, which is why I joined the DFS Academy as a course leader in 2017. By 2023, I was ready for my next development step, so I moved to DFS Headquarters to assume the role of Head of Performance & Flow Management."
The motivation
"I really enjoy working with people.
Encouraging and challenging people brings me a great deal of satisfaction. After all, every individual brings their own very different needs, strengths and also weaknesses to the table. Working with fresh pair of eyes every day makes my job both exciting and challenging."
The activities
"My team and I are always available to provide advice for operations on all performance issues.
My range of duties is complex and multifaceted. Working in close contact with EUROCONTROL in Brussels, where all European flight plans must be submitted months before the actual take-off time, we coordinate all aircraft movements well in advance. We also collate all the performance data on delays, movements, meteorological factors and so on – all of which have an impact on the overall performance. We report and analyse all of this, which enables us to forecast important developments in future air traffic and even estimate the personnel resources we are likely to need in the future."
"I absolutely love working here, but now I'm going to get on my racing bike."
The challenges
"Things never really get boring.
Working with people is always an exciting challenge, as we all have our own ways of looking at the world. It’s important to accommodate each other's perspectives. Even after 22 years at DFS, the key is keep exploring new avenues and find new solutions to new problems. And things always crop up that you simply can’t plan for: Strikes, climate activists glueing themselves to pieces of infrastructure and so on – forcing us to restart all our planning and organisation activities."
The corporate culture
"Our focus is on people.
Working together, we make a great team. We always treat one another with respect. Employees in difficult situations always receive the help they need, and we always work together to find solutions to problems.
Your future:
safety in the sky
Become part of our close-knit team
Do you have questions about DFS as an employer?
Simply get in touch with our careers team:
karriere@dfs.de