<strong>Ongoing saga: </strong>The opening of Berlin Brandenburg Airport Willy Brandt has been delayed for nearly nine years.
Ongoing saga: The opening of Berlin Brandenburg Airport Willy Brandt has been delayed for nearly nine years.
Patrick Pleul/dpa/picture-alliance/AP
<strong>Construction continues: </strong>The airport is set to open on October 31, 2020, officials say.
Construction continues: The airport is set to open on October 31, 2020, officials say.
Patrick Pleul/dpa/picture-alliance/AP
<strong>More work to be done: </strong>Cranes stood at the construction site of Terminal 2 on November 25, 2019.
More work to be done: Cranes stood at the construction site of Terminal 2 on November 25, 2019.
Patrick Pleul/dpa/picture-alliance/AP
<strong>Waiting for flights: </strong>After operations start at Berlin Brandenburg airport, scheduled flights out of Tegel -- currently the city's main international airport -- will end on November 8, 2020.
Waiting for flights: After operations start at Berlin Brandenburg airport, scheduled flights out of Tegel -- currently the city's main international airport -- will end on November 8, 2020.
Patrick Pleul/dpa/picture-alliance/AP
<strong>Concessions coming: </strong>Work is ongoing on restaurants and other facilities within the new airport.
Concessions coming: Work is ongoing on restaurants and other facilities within the new airport.
Patrick Pleul/dpa/picture-alliance/AP
<strong>Luggage test run: </strong>For testing purposes, suitcases were lined up in front of check-in counters on November 25.
Luggage test run: For testing purposes, suitcases were lined up in front of check-in counters on November 25.
Patrick Pleul/dpa/picture-alliance/AP
<strong>Air traffic: </strong>The new airport is located adjacent to the Cold War-era Berlin Schönefeld Airport.
Air traffic: The new airport is located adjacent to the Cold War-era Berlin Schönefeld Airport.
Günter Wicker / Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH
<strong>Clear for takeoff: </strong>At a promotional event in March 2012 it appeared to be all systems go for the airport's launch.
Clear for takeoff: At a promotional event in March 2012 it appeared to be all systems go for the airport's launch.
Sean Gallup/Getty Images
<strong>Constant setbacks:</strong> The airport, which will become the city's main international airport when it finally opens, was due to launch in June 2012, but the opening was canceled less than a month beforehand.
Constant setbacks: The airport, which will become the city's main international airport when it finally opens, was due to launch in June 2012, but the opening was canceled less than a month beforehand.
Günter Wicker / Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH
<strong>Behind schedule: </strong>A faulty fire-protection system, ill-fitting escalators and structural faults in the ceiling are among the many problems that have contributed to the delay.
Behind schedule: A faulty fire-protection system, ill-fitting escalators and structural faults in the ceiling are among the many problems that have contributed to the delay.
Günter Wicker / Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH
<strong>New dawn: </strong>Brandenburg is supposed to represent a new era in German aviation and take the pressure off the city's Tegel and Schönefeld airports.
New dawn: Brandenburg is supposed to represent a new era in German aviation and take the pressure off the city's Tegel and Schönefeld airports.
Sean Gallup/Getty Images
<strong>No air traffic to control:</strong> The tower was ready for business in 2012.
No air traffic to control: The tower was ready for business in 2012.
Andreas Rentz/Getty Images
<strong>Information, but no flights:</strong> Boards were switched on and displayed flight information from nearby airports to make sure they worked.
Information, but no flights: Boards were switched on and displayed flight information from nearby airports to make sure they worked.
Adam Berry/Getty Images
<strong>Welcome to Berlin: </strong>Signage and marketing was in full swing leading up to the scheduled 2012 opening with a positive message to the world.
Welcome to Berlin: Signage and marketing was in full swing leading up to the scheduled 2012 opening with a positive message to the world.
Adam Berry/Getty Images
<strong>Runway to nowhere: </strong>But the airport remains dormant, a vast aviation hub sitting idle as air traffic piles up elsewhere.
Runway to nowhere: But the airport remains dormant, a vast aviation hub sitting idle as air traffic piles up elsewhere.
Sean Gallup/Getty Images
<strong>Over the fence: </strong>Services to nearby Schoenefeld Airport continue as the Brandenburg project drags on.
Over the fence: Services to nearby Schoenefeld Airport continue as the Brandenburg project drags on.
Sean Gallup/Getty Images
<strong>Embarrassing debacle:</strong> Germany's largest daily newspaper BILD has called the situation a "disgrace for Germany."<br />
Embarrassing debacle: Germany's largest daily newspaper BILD has called the situation a "disgrace for Germany."
Günter Wicker / Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH
<strong>Construction site: </strong>Nearly 8 billion euros have been spent on building the new airport so far.
Construction site: Nearly 8 billion euros have been spent on building the new airport so far.
TOBIAS SCHWARZ / AFP / Getty Images