Berlin's Airport Confusion: A Complex Travel Tale

Berlin, Germany's bustling capital, has been a hub for travellers, dreamers, and the notoriously punctual. The city used to have three airports, each with its own unique character and busy runways. However, in 2020, a major shift occurred in Berlin's aviation landscape, leaving many curious about the fate of its airports. Today, Berlin has only one major commercial airport, the Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), which serves as a gateway to the city and a piece of German history. With its central location and modern infrastructure, BER connects Berlin to the world and offers travellers a range of facilities and services.

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) is the only commercial airport in Berlin

Berlin Brandenburg Airport is well connected to the city by public transport. The Airport Express (FEX) and regional trains (RE7, RB14) offer efficient links to central Berlin, with the Berlin Hauptbahnhof (central station) only about a 30-minute train ride away. Additionally, S-Bahn lines S9 and S45 connect the airport to various parts of the city and outskirts. There are also several bus lines that go into the city centre, as well as various express buses. Taxis are available 24/7 outside the terminal buildings, and ride-sharing apps like Uber and FreeNow also operate in Berlin.

Berlin Brandenburg Airport provides several lounges for passengers, an observation deck, shopping and dining options, complimentary Wi-Fi, and charging stations. There is also a conference centre, play areas for children, pharmacies, and medical services. The airport aims to handle up to 40 million passengers annually and is among the busiest airports in Germany, serving approximately 24 million passengers each year.

The construction of Berlin Brandenburg Airport was a lengthy and costly process. The airport was originally planned to open in 2011 but faced numerous delays and cost overruns, finally opening in October 2020. The total costs for construction were estimated to be around €6 billion, three times higher than initially planned.

Berlin Schönefeld Airport was replaced by Berlin Brandenburg Airport

Berlin, the capital of Germany, has a rich history of aviation and used to be served by multiple airports. However, since 2020, Berlin has only one operational airport: the Berlin Brandenburg "Willy Brandt" Airport (BER). This airport is located just across the Berlin-Brandenburg border in Schönefeld, and it replaced the former Berlin Schönefeld Airport (IATA: SXF, ICAO: EDDB).

Berlin Schönefeld Airport was founded in 1934 and served as the primary airport for East Berlin during the Cold War. After the Second World War, Schönefeld Airport was the central airport of the GDR. It remained in operation until the end of October 2020, after which it was replaced by Berlin Brandenburg Airport. During its operational years, Schönefeld Airport was a popular choice for low-cost airlines such as EasyJet and Ryanair, offering numerous national and international routes. The establishment of EasyJet at Schönefeld Airport was particularly significant, and it became the second-largest EasyJet base in Europe. Despite its small size, the airport efficiently handled a high volume of traffic, making it a favourite among travellers, not just in Berlin but across the region.

Berlin Brandenburg Airport, often referred to as BER, was built in the immediate vicinity of Berlin Schönefeld Airport. The new airport incorporates a section of the former Schönefeld Airport, with its old terminal and one of its runways becoming part of the new airport complex. Berlin Brandenburg Airport is now among the busiest airports in Germany, serving approximately 24 million passengers annually with connections across Europe and worldwide. It is designed to handle up to 40 million passengers per year and provides easier access from various parts of Berlin and its surroundings.

The construction of Berlin Brandenburg Airport was a lengthy and challenging process. The airport was originally planned to open in 2011 but faced significant delays and cost overruns. Faulty construction planning, lack of supervision, and technical deficiencies led to the opening being postponed multiple times. The total construction cost was estimated to be around six to seven billion euros, roughly three times higher than initially planned. Despite the challenges, Berlin Brandenburg Airport finally opened in October 2020, becoming the sole international airport serving the German capital.

Berlin Tegel Airport was the former main airport of Berlin

Berlin Tegel Airport, also known as Berlin Tegel "Otto Lilienthal" Airport, was the former main airport of Berlin, Germany. It was built during the Berlin Airlift in 1948, when the Soviet Union blocked all roads, railway lines, and rivers to West Berlin. The Berlin Airlift saw American pilots supply the people of West Berlin with food, medicine, and other essential goods via the air for almost a year.

Berlin Tegel Airport was located in the north-western part of Berlin and was one of the busiest airports in Germany. Shortly before its closure in November 2020, it had the fourth-highest passenger volume in the country, behind Frankfurt, Munich, and Düsseldorf airports. The airport was a hub for Air Berlin until the airline's collapse in 2017.

After the reunification of Germany, it was decided that Berlin would have a central airport. Thus, Berlin Tegel Airport was replaced by the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport, which opened in October 2020 after many delays. Berlin Tegel's northern section still remains in use as a military helipad. The vacant terminals are also planned to be redeveloped into an industrial and research park, named "Berlin TXL - The Urban Tech Republic".

Berlin Tempelhof Airport was the former central airport of Berlin

Berlin's former central airport, Berlin Tempelhof Airport, was one of the first commercial airports in Germany when it opened in 1923. It was located in the heart of the city, and alongside Berlin Tegel and Schönefeld airports, Tempelhof handled international passenger volume in the greater Berlin area until its closure in 2008.

The airport was iconic, and its unique history has made it a sought-after film location. Its hangar and buildings have been used for blockbuster films such as The Bourne Conspiracy (2004), Berlin Airlift (2005), Valkyrie (2007), and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Parts 1 and 2 (2014-2015). The airport played a significant role during the Berlin Blockade, when the Western Allies used it to deliver essential supplies to the people of West Berlin by air. This event, known as the Berlin Airlift, lasted from June 1948 to May 1949 and became a symbol of German-American friendship.

After its closure, the site was opened to the public in 2010 and has since been utilised for various purposes. The runway area has been converted into parkland, while the hangars and other buildings are used for festivals and events, as well as housing various businesses.

Berlin Tempelhof Airport holds a special place in the history of Berlin and continues to be a dynamic and versatile space, reflecting the city's ever-evolving nature.

Berlin's airports have a significant place in German history

Berlin's airports have played a significant role in the history of Germany. The city, which has always been a hub for travellers, used to serve its aviation needs with three airports: Tempelhof, Schönefeld, and Tegel. These airports were located far from each other across the city.

In 2020, Berlin's aviation landscape underwent a significant change with the opening of the Berlin Brandenburg "Willy Brandt" Airport (BER). This new central airport, located just across the border in Schönefeld, replaced the former three airports, which were closed or integrated into the new facility. The construction of this airport was plagued with issues and delays, and it took 14 years to complete, with the costs totalling an estimated six to seven billion euros.

The history of Berlin's airports dates back to the early 20th century. Tempelhof Airport, which opened in 1923, was one of the first commercial airports in Germany. Schönefeld Airport, founded in 1934, served as the airport for East Berlin during the Cold War. Tegel Airport, on the other hand, was built during the Berlin Airlift in 1948 and was the former main airport of West Berlin.

The Berlin Blockade and the Berlin Airlift are particularly significant events in the history of the city's airports. The Berlin Blockade, imposed by the Soviet Union in 1948, cut off West Berlin from the outside world by blocking all roads, railway lines, and rivers. The Berlin Airlift, which lasted from June 1948 to May 1949, was the Western Allies' response to this blockade. Airfields in Berlin, including Tempelhof, Tegel, and Gatow, became crucial in supplying the people of West Berlin with essential goods like food, medicine, and even chocolate bars for children, which were thrown from planes on little parachutes. The success of the Berlin Airlift, which became a symbol of German-American friendship, ultimately led to the Soviet Union ending its blockade.

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