Berlin's BER Airport Opens After Years of Delays and Setbacks
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) finally opened its doors on October 31, 2020, after years of delays. Initially, flights used the existing Schönefeld runway, now renamed the northern runway. The long-awaited southern runway began operations a few days later, marking a major step for the capital's air travel.
The airport's launch followed a troubled history, including setbacks from Air Berlin's collapse, which reshaped routes and customer demand. Before BER's full activation, operators had a short window to test terminal processes. This assessment period was critical before shutting down Tegel Airport, Berlin's main hub for decades.
The southern runway started handling flights on November 4, 2020. Tegel's closure was set for six months after this date, with its final commercial departures on November 8. Authorities like the Aircraft Noise Commission and the Federal Supervisory Authority for Air Navigation Services oversaw ongoing adjustments to flight paths, even post-opening. By 2022, BER's first full year, passenger numbers reached 22.4 million. Monthly figures showed steady growth, from 1.6 million in its opening month (October 2021) to peaks of 2.6 million in July and August 2022. The airport's expansion came as Berlin's air traffic had already surged—flights rose by 20% and passenger numbers by 40% since 2012.
BER's opening ended years of reliance on Tegel and Schönefeld, consolidating Berlin's air traffic under one modern hub. The airport's phased startup allowed time for testing and adjustments. With rising passenger numbers and ongoing refinements, BER became the city's central aviation gateway.
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