Berlin Airport chaos leaves film stars and travelers stranded for hours
Long queues at Berlin Brandenburg Airport left film industry professionals and travellers frustrated this week. Among those stuck in the slow-moving passport control lines was The Last Of Us star Bella Ramsey. The delays coincided with the busy Berlin Film Festival and European Film Market, causing some to miss scheduled meetings entirely.
The worst delays hit passengers in the 'rest of the world' queue, where only a handful of officers processed arrivals. Families, elderly travellers, and disabled passengers faced especially long waits. Even the EU passport line, though better staffed, saw significant backups.
This isn't the first time Berlin Brandenburg Airport has struggled with passport control. Similar issues have plagued European airports for years, often during peak travel periods. No official figures exist for staffing levels at BER on February 13, 2026, but eyewitnesses described a clear imbalance between the two queues.
Many film festival attendees, already on tight schedules, found themselves stuck for hours. Some missed important meetings or screenings, adding to the frustration of an already chaotic arrival process.
The delays highlight ongoing challenges at major European airports during high-traffic events. Travellers arriving from outside the EU faced the longest waits, with limited staff available to process them. The issue has raised concerns about airport preparedness for future large-scale gatherings.
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