BER has successful start despite pandemic

Only 700,000 passengers have been handled at the airport since its opening last October

Despite difficult conditions, the launch of Berlin Brandenburg Airport Willy Brandt has been successful, according to the airport operator.

Since its opening at the end of October last year, Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg (FBB) says the airport’s infrastructure has presented itself as both efficient and reliable. Handling and technical facilities are running smoothly whilst ensuring safety measures are maintained.

Terminal 1 has received a positive response from customers, specifically commenting of the facilities, service and cleanliness.

Berlin Brandenburg Airport
Photo Berlin Brandenburg Airport 

“I would like to thank all employees of the airport company and our partners for the successful launch of Berlin Brandenburg Airport Willy Brandt,” said Engelbert Lutke Daldrup, chief executive officer of Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg. “We would have liked to have been able to assure more passengers of our modern, international standard, as BER is fully operational. Instead, the industry has been hit hard by the global coronavirus pandemic and is constantly facing new setbacks. Nevertheless, we are convinced that BER will play an important role in the economic recovery of the capital region”.

Due to the pandemic, BER could only handle around 700,000 passengers in the first three months since opening – approximately 10% of levels seen in 2019. During the run up to Christmas, there was a slight peak in travel. On December 18, just under 20,000 passengers passed through the airport.

Passenger numbers fell dramatically at the beginning of this year due to tightened travel restrictions and lockdown measures. Currently, around 4,000 to 8,000 customers are handled at BER every day on average. Before coronavirus, around 100,000 travellers used Tegel and Schönefeld airports per day.

BER’s Terminal 5 is set to be temporarily closed from February 23 due to the low volume of air traffic.  When traveller numbers increase, both Terminals 2 and 5 will be used as additional buildings for passenger handling.

The airport has been awarded two certificates for its high level of hygiene.