<strong>Berlin Brandenburg Airport: </strong>After nearly a decade of delays, Germany's Berlin-Brandenburg Willie Brandt Airport opened on October 31, 2020.
Berlin Brandenburg Airport: After nearly a decade of delays, Germany's Berlin-Brandenburg Willie Brandt Airport opened on October 31, 2020.
Günter Wicker/Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH
<strong>A question of timing: </strong>It was in the first year of a global pandemic but, said the then airport boss Engelbert Luetke Daldrup at the time, "The most important thing for us is that we open the airport." Just a few months later, it was announced that he'd requested to <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fairwaysmag.com%2Fairports%2Fdaldrup-to-leave-berlin-brandenburg%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">leave the post</a>.
A question of timing: It was in the first year of a global pandemic but, said the then airport boss Engelbert Luetke Daldrup at the time, "The most important thing for us is that we open the airport." Just a few months later, it was announced that he'd requested to leave the post.
Günter Wicker/Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH
<strong>Temporary closures: </strong>Airport authorities temporarily closed Terminal 5 in February 2021 due to insufficient flight traffic resulting from the pandemic. Terminals 1 and 2 continued operation.
Temporary closures: Airport authorities temporarily closed Terminal 5 in February 2021 due to insufficient flight traffic resulting from the pandemic. Terminals 1 and 2 continued operation.
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<strong>First year woes: </strong>In its first year of operation BER has faced a long list of problems and passenger complaints: lengthy check-in and security lines, confusing layout and signage and cramped, dirty bathrooms. This photo is from July 1, 2021.
First year woes: In its first year of operation BER has faced a long list of problems and passenger complaints: lengthy check-in and security lines, confusing layout and signage and cramped, dirty bathrooms. This photo is from July 1, 2021.
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<strong>Crisis:</strong> The airport, which is owned by the federal government and states of Berlin and Brandenburg, also faces a financial crisis.
Crisis: The airport, which is owned by the federal government and states of Berlin and Brandenburg, also faces a financial crisis.
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<strong>High losses:</strong> With passenger numbers a fraction of pre-pandemic figures, the company lost approximately $1.16 billion in 2020, with more high losses expected in coming years.
High losses: With passenger numbers a fraction of pre-pandemic figures, the company lost approximately $1.16 billion in 2020, with more high losses expected in coming years.
Günter Wicker/Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH
<strong>Start as you mean to go on:</strong> But Brandenburg Airport is no stranger to big bills. Even at opening, it was already 4 billion euros over budget.
Start as you mean to go on: But Brandenburg Airport is no stranger to big bills. Even at opening, it was already 4 billion euros over budget.
Günter Wicker/Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH
<strong>Dream of the '90s:</strong> Plans to build a central international airport in Berlin date back to the city's reunification era.
Dream of the '90s: Plans to build a central international airport in Berlin date back to the city's reunification era.
Nadine Schmidt/CNN
<strong>Connectivity:</strong> The new airport aimed to be the state-of-the-art transportation hub the German capital has always lacked, opening up connections to more long-haul destinations.
Connectivity: The new airport aimed to be the state-of-the-art transportation hub the German capital has always lacked, opening up connections to more long-haul destinations.
Nadine Schmidt/CNN
<strong>Capacity:</strong> Brandenburg Airport has capacity for more than 40 million passengers over Terminal 1, Terminal 5, and Terminal 2.
Capacity: Brandenburg Airport has capacity for more than 40 million passengers over Terminal 1, Terminal 5, and Terminal 2.
Nadine Schmidt/CNN
<strong>This too shall pass:</strong> "Of course Covid times are hard times, but in one or two years we will have a lot of passengers here," former boss Daldrup told CNN in 2020.
This too shall pass: "Of course Covid times are hard times, but in one or two years we will have a lot of passengers here," former boss Daldrup told CNN in 2020.
Nadine Schmidt/CNN
<strong>Under construction:</strong> Here's how Terminal 2 looked back in November 2019.
Under construction: Here's how Terminal 2 looked back in November 2019.
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, 2019.
Luggage test run: For testing purposes, suitcases were lined up in front of check-in counters on November 25, 2019.
Patrick Pleul/dpa/picture-alliance/AP
<strong>Schönefeld</strong><strong>:</strong><strong> </strong>The new airport is located adjacent to the Cold War-era Berlin Schönefeld Airport, which has been incorporated into its infrastructure.
Schönefeld: The new airport is located adjacent to the Cold War-era Berlin Schönefeld Airport, which has been incorporated into its infrastructure.
Günter Wicker / Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH
<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.
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