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It took 14 years and 7.7 billion Swiss francs, and it’s done: the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport has been built. The inauguration will take place on Saturday, October 31. The date couldn’t have been happier. “The low volume of traffic is definitely an advantage. The operation is much easier, ”says aviation expert Stefan Eiselin, editor-in-chief of the online aviation magazine AeroTelegraph.
With fewer passengers, the new airport can slowly test operations. That way, there is definitely no chaos.
The time to celebrate is over
Even without Corona, no big celebration would have been planned. “It’s too late for that,” says Daniel Tolksdorf, spokesman for Berlin airports. The first Lufthansa and Easy Jet flights land on the opening day, putting Terminal 1 into operation. The other terminals will follow. “We are very excited,” says the press spokesperson.
Construction of the new airport began in 2006. The project became known mainly due to numerous delays and incidents, and because it was becoming increasingly expensive. Finally, all obstacles have been overcome and the airport can officially open without much fanfare.
Fully tested
Further breakdowns should definitely be avoided. «We are well prepared. We have had all the approvals, permits and approvals on the desk for a long time, “said the spokesperson. The technology has also been extensively tested.
Thanks to the extra time, the airport was even able to run a test in June. More than 24,000 employees and almost 10,000 extras put the airport to the test. Together they conducted the most realistic airport operations possible with around 54,000 bookings for 2,350 flights. This also included numerous special emergencies, so Tolksdorf.
Planning continues
Air traffic is scheduled to start in November. Terminal 1 alone will then handle 28 million guests per year. Altogether, the new airport can receive 46 million guests. But a further extension is already being planned.
The former Schönefeld airport in the GDR, which is located directly next to the new Berlin Brandenburg airport, will remain in operation for the time being. It will become Terminal 5 in Berlin Brandenburg.
Gradual change
The next move will take place on November 4. Then the first half of the airlines will move away from the current Tegel airport. The second half will follow on November 7 and 8. Swiss is also moving to Berlin Brandenburg at this step. After that, the former Berlin Tegel airport will finally close.
According to aviation expert Eiselin, a completely new airport will not open in Europe anytime soon.
