Night survey
Laser planes fly over Berlin – that’s why
November 21, 2025 – 18:39Reading time: 1 minute.
A small plane with an invisible laser beam flew over the capital for three nights. What will the 3D recording be used for in the future?
Berlin will be surveyed from the air at night this weekend. On Friday to Sunday (21-23 November 2025), a small plane will fly over the city area with laser scanning between 23.00 and 23.00. and 5 a.m. This was announced by the Senate Department for Urban Development.
Airborne laser scanning creates state-of-the-art digital terrain and surface models. The planes move across the city in stripes at an altitude of 1,500 meters. Every place in Berlin is flown about two to three times.
The flight path is approximately 800 meters. At the end of each route, the plane passes over the Brandenburg region. Flights cannot take place during the day as German air traffic control has imposed restrictions due to its proximity to BER.
The data is used by the government for urban planning, geotechnical and construction projects. The images are also important for climate models and heavy rain risk maps.
In the process, an invisible laser beam scans the earth’s surface and objects such as buildings or trees. This creates a three-dimensional point cloud. According to authorities, there is no health risk.
Even at high altitudes, noise may be heard briefly. The Senate Administration asks for your understanding. If the weather is good, further night flights will be carried out until all of Berlin is covered.
