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The construction of the new airport in the capital was marked by breakdowns, failures and cost explosions. With a delay of nine years, BER has finally gone live, and even at the opening ceremony everything went smoothly.
The new BER airport opened nine years late. Two Easyjet and Lufthansa planes carried the first passengers to the new terminal. For safety reasons, the planes did not land in parallel on both runways as planned, but on the north runway at a distance of a good four minutes. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t play along, said Patrick Muller, head of processes at BER.
Due to the corona crisis, only a few thousand passengers per day are expected at the new airport for the next several weeks. Special machines from Easyjet and Lufthansa brought guests to the new terminal. This Sunday, the first passengers must regularly register with BER.
Construction costs tripled
With the opening of BER, air traffic in Berlin and Brandenburg will be concentrated on the site of the former GDR Schönefeld Airport 30 years after reunification. Tegel city center airport closes. The last machine should take off there on November 8.
BER’s construction was marked by planning errors, technical problems and construction defects. The opening was postponed six times. The cost of construction and soundproofing for residents tripled to around six billion euros.
Years of disputes and protests
Berlin, Brandenburg and the federal government decided in 1996 to expand the airport on the outskirts of the capital. The choice of location sparked protests and years of disputes over flight routes in the densely populated area.
The Tegel closure should now alleviate hundreds of thousands of aircraft noise and create space for a research and commercial location. To be sure, the airport in the west of the city will remain operational for another six months. The traditional Tempelhof airport has been closed since 2008, the site is open to citizens like a park.
Especially fire protection is problematic
The terminal of the former GDR central airport in Schönefeld will initially remain as part of BER. BER is also taking over a runway at the old airport. The new second runway will go into operation on November 4, when night flights will be banned for the first time.
Construction of the new terminal had gotten out of hand due to the lack of a general contractor and numerous rescheduling. In 2012, the opening was canceled a few weeks before the date. The next job involved a renovation of the new building. For years it was rebuilt, especially for fire protection.
Designed for up to 41 million passengers
The government terminal on the BER site has been in operation since last week. Another passenger terminal is ready, but it shouldn’t come into operation until next year due to the crown-related collapse in passenger numbers. According to the operator, the three BER terminals can accommodate up to 41 million passengers a year. The economic plan assumes around 18 million for next year, half that in 2019.
