The Buzzing Txl Airport: How Busy Is It?

Berlin Tegel Otto Lilienthal Airport (TXL) was the fourth busiest airport in Germany, serving over 24 million passengers in 2019. The airport was located in Tegel, a section of the northern borough of Reinickendorf, just 8km northwest of Berlin's city centre. TXL was the primary international airport for the German capital, with most major airlines arriving and departing from its three terminals. TXL was also a base for budget airlines such as easyJet, Ryanair, and Eurowings. The airport closed on 8 November 2020, with all flights now departing from the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport.

TXL was the fourth busiest airport in Germany in 2019, with 24 million passengers

TXL, or Berlin Tegel "Otto Lilienthal" Airport, was the fourth busiest airport in Germany in 2019, with 24 million passengers. It was the primary international airport of Berlin, Germany's capital. The airport was named after aviation pioneer Otto Lilienthal.

Berlin Tegel Airport was located in Tegel, a section of the northern borough of Reinickendorf, just 8km (5 miles) northwest of Berlin's city centre. The airport was built during the Cold War and originally served West Berlin. By the mid-1970s, it had become Berlin's most important airport. In 2016, it handled over 60% of all airline passenger traffic in Berlin.

Berlin Tegel Airport featured flights to several European metropolitan and leisure destinations, as well as some intercontinental routes. Most major airlines arrived and departed from here, including prestigious intercontinental services. The airport served as a base for Eurowings, Ryanair, and easyJet. It was also a hub for United Airlines flights to Newark, Lufthansa services to Munich and Frankfurt, and Qatar Airways flights to Doha, among others.

The airport had three terminals, all within walking distance of each other. Terminal A could handle wide-bodied aircraft, such as the Boeing 767-400ER or Airbus A330-300. The airport offered various amenities, including restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops, although these were limited due to the short distance from the street to the aircraft. There were also pay-to-use shower facilities and a hair salon located in Terminal A. The Observation Deck in Terminal D offered a view of planes landing and taking off for a small fee.

TXL closed on 8 November 2020, with flights moving to Berlin Brandenburg Airport until 2021

Berlin Tegel "Otto Lilienthal" Airport (IATA: TXL, ICAO: EDDT) was the primary international airport of Berlin, Germany. The airport was named after aviation pioneer Otto Lilienthal and was the fourth busiest airport in Germany, with over 24 million passengers in 2019. TXL was located in Tegel, a section of the northern borough of Reinickendorf, eight kilometres (five miles) northwest of the city centre of Berlin.

TXL saw its last flight on 8 November 2020, after which all traffic was gradually transferred to the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER). The final scheduled flight to leave the airport was operated by Air France to Paris–Charles de Gaulle. TXL was legally decommissioned as an airfield after a mandatory transitional period on 4 May 2021. All government flights were also relocated to the new airport, except for helicopter operations, which will remain at a separate area on the northern side of Tegel Airport until 2029.

The closure of TXL was bittersweet for many locals. Despite its small size, the airport grew to become Germany's fourth busiest airport and came to symbolise Berlin like few other public structures. The airport was congested, tired, and out of date, but it had many fans. The majority of Berliners voted to keep the airport open in a non-binding referendum in 2017. TXL was considered a symbol of West Berlin's new sense of optimism and economic recovery.

The airport's grounds are due to be redeveloped into a new city quarter dedicated to scientific and industrial research, named Urban Tech Republic. The plan includes new housing and an urban park. The iconic terminal building will be retained and repurposed as a landmark, with a new campus for Beuth University.

TXL was 8km from the city centre, with bus and taxi links

TXL, or Berlin Tegel "Otto Lilienthal" Airport, was located just 8km from the city centre of Berlin. The airport was decommissioned in May 2021, with all flights now departing from the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport.

TXL was accessible by bus and taxi. The TXL express bus was the cheapest option, costing €2.60 and taking between 20 and 30 minutes to reach the city centre. The bus departed every 10 or 20 minutes from 4:50 am to 11 pm. The X9 express bus was another option, taking passengers to the U-Bahn, S-Bahn, and Regional Express stations within 5 to 20 minutes. This bus ran every 10 minutes throughout the day. Bus 109 also travelled to the Zoologischer Garten station, via Kurfürstendamm, and took 30 minutes. The 128 bus connected the airport to the U-Bahn, with a journey time of 10 to 25 minutes.

Although TXL did not have a direct rail connection, the buses offered connections to the U-Bahn and S-Bahn, as well as to Regional Express and long-distance trains. The proximity of the airport to the city centre made it possible to reach the city by taxi within 20 minutes, although this option was more expensive, costing around €25-€37.80.

TXL had three terminals, all within a 5-10 minute walk of each other

TXL, or Berlin Tegel "Otto Lilienthal" Airport, was the fourth busiest airport in Germany, serving over 24 million passengers in 2019. The airport was named after aviation pioneer Otto Lilienthal and was located in Tegel, a section of the northern borough of Reinickendorf, just eight kilometres from the city centre of Berlin.

The airport was served by several bus routes and motorways, with the TXL express bus running to Berlin Central Station, and the X9 express bus connecting to the U-Bahn and S-Bahn stations. The airport was not served by a direct rail connection, although an underground station had been planned since the 1960s.

TXL was known for its hexagonal main terminal building, which made walking distances short, with as little as 30 metres from the aircraft to the terminal exit. The airport featured flights to European and intercontinental destinations and served as a base for Eurowings, Ryanair and easyJet. It was considered a symbol of West Berlin's economic recovery and played an important role in the city's air traffic, handling over 60% of all airline passenger traffic in Berlin in 2016.

TXL had a range of dining options, including local favourite Currywurst Express

TXL, or Berlin Tegel "Otto Lilienthal" Airport, was the fourth busiest airport in Germany, serving over 24 million passengers in 2019. The airport was the primary international airport of Berlin, Germany's capital, until it closed on November 8, 2020, with all flights being transferred to the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport.

TXL had a range of dining options, including the local favourite Currywurst Express, which served the famous Berlin speciality of currywurst, along with fries and a selection of drinks, including beer and cola. The Currywurst Express outlet at TXL was restricted to a small space, but it was well-known for its quick service and good value for money. It was located in Alexanderplatz Train Station, which is accessible via several BVG bus lines, offering connections to the U-Bahn and S-Bahn, as well as Regional Express and long-distance trains.

Currywurst Express has received mixed reviews on Tripadvisor, with some praising the quick service, tasty food, and good value for money, while others have criticised the staff for being rude. The outlet in Alexanderplatz Train Station appears to be one of several locations, as there are also mentions of a Currywurst Express outlet in Mitte and another on Dircksenstraße by the train station.

Currywurst Express seems to be a popular choice for travellers and locals alike, offering a classic Berlin dish with a variety of sauces and drinks. While TXL may no longer be operational, the Currywurst Express outlets in Berlin continue to serve their signature currywurst, preserving a piece of the airport's culinary history.

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