Berlin's Airport Conundrum: A Complex Aviation History

Berlin has always been a hub for travellers, with three airports historically serving the city. However, today, Berlin has only one major commercial airport, Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER). This replaced the three airports of Tempelhof, Schönefeld and Tegel, which were located far from each other in the city.

Tegel Airport (TXL) is the largest airport in Berlin and is located in the metropolitan area

Berlin currently has two airports in operation: Tegel Airport (TXL) and Schönefeld Airport (SXF). Tegel Airport is the largest airport in Berlin and is located in the metropolitan area. It was formerly located in West Berlin, while Schönefeld Airport was the airport of the former East Berlin. Together, the two airports handle over 23 million passengers per year.

Tegel Airport has played a significant role in the city's history, particularly during the jet age. The airport is set to close, however, with an expansion of Schönefeld Airport currently underway. The latter is set to reopen as Berlin Brandenburg Airport in 2013 and will process all of Berlin's air arrivals.

Berlin used to have three airports, with Tempelhof being the third airport in West Berlin. It closed in 2008, and its runway area is now used as parkland, while its hangers and other buildings are used for businesses and events.

Schönefeld Airport (SXF) is located just outside the city and is currently being expanded

Berlin currently has two airports in operation: Tegel Airport (TXL) and Schönefeld Airport (SXF). The latter is located just outside the city and is currently being expanded. It is set to reopen as Berlin Brandenburg Airport in 2013, and with the planned closure of Tegel, Schönefeld will process all of Berlin's air arrivals.

Schönefeld Airport is the largest airport in Berlin, formerly located in East Berlin. It is currently undergoing an expansion to accommodate more passengers and flights. The airport is expected to handle a significant increase in traffic once it becomes the city's primary airport. The expansion includes the construction of new terminals, runways, and other necessary infrastructure to support the increased demand.

The expansion of Schönefeld Airport is a significant development for Berlin's aviation industry. By consolidating air traffic into a single major airport, the city aims to streamline operations and improve efficiency. The expansion will also enhance the airport's capacity to handle a greater volume of passengers and flights, ensuring a smoother travel experience for visitors and residents alike.

The process of expanding Schönefeld Airport involves careful planning and coordination to minimise disruptions during construction. It requires the integration of advanced technologies and infrastructure upgrades to meet modern aviation standards. The expansion is a complex undertaking, involving multiple stakeholders, including airport authorities, construction companies, and government agencies.

With the expansion of Schönefeld Airport, Berlin is poised to strengthen its position as a major aviation hub in Europe. The airport's increased capacity and improved facilities will attract more airlines and destinations, enhancing the city's connectivity with the rest of the world. The expansion also underscores Berlin's commitment to meeting the growing demands of air travel and ensuring a seamless travel experience for all who pass through its gates.

Tempelhof Airport was closed in 2008 and its runway is now used as parkland

Berlin currently has two airports in operation: Tegel Airport (TXL) and Schönefeld Airport (SXF). However, historically, Berlin had three airports, including Tempelhof Airport, which was closed in 2008. The runway area of Tempelhof Airport is now used as parkland, while its hangers and other buildings house various businesses and are used for festivals and events. The closure of Tempelhof Airport was part of a shake-up in Berlin's aviation landscape, which also saw the replacement of Tegel and Schönefeld airports with the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) in 2013.

Tempelhof Airport played a significant role in Berlin's history, particularly during the Berlin airlift. Its closure and the transformation of its runway into parkland reflect the changing dynamics of Berlin's aviation industry and the city's evolving relationship with its airports. The former airport site now serves as a recreational and cultural space for the city's residents and visitors, showcasing Berlin's ability to adapt and repurpose its infrastructure to meet the needs of its community.

Lufthansa, the German flag carrier, no longer considers Berlin its runway

Berlin currently has two airports in operation: Tegel Airport (TXL) and Schönefeld Airport (SXF). However, Lufthansa, the German flag carrier, no longer considers Berlin its runway. This is because Berlin has only one major commercial airport, Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), which replaced the three airports of Tempelhof, Schönefeld and Tegel. The latter two were located far from each other in the city, with Tegel situated within the Berlin metropolitan area and Schönefeld just outside.

Berlin's airports have played significant roles in the city's history. Tempelhof was involved in the Berlin airlift, while Tegel was important during the jet age. Schönefeld, meanwhile, was overshadowed by Tempelhof and lacked architectural splendour or Hollywood attention. Brandenburg Airport's long and troubled construction is its defining legacy.

Few cities globally are as closely associated with their airports as Berlin. Not only has Berlin had so many airports, but their names have been imprinted into 20th-century history. Tempelhof, Tegel, Schönefeld, and Brandenburg are known around the world for different reasons.

Berlin is no longer Germany's largest aviation hub; that honour goes to Frankfurt International (FRA), followed by Munich International (MUC). However, Berlin still has 1,441 weekly flights, according to data from Cirium. It has direct connectivity with 116 airports globally. easyJet and Lufthansa are the main operators from Berlin, with 240 and 158 weekly departures as of December 2023. Other companies with over 100 weekly departures are Malta Air (137) and Eurowings (100).

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) is Berlin's only major commercial airport

Berlin currently has one major commercial airport, Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER). This airport replaced the three airports of Tempelhof, Schönefeld and Tegel, which were located far from each other in the city. The latter two airports were located in the former East and West Berlin respectively, with Tegel being the largest. Tempelhof closed in 2008, and its runway area is now used as parkland, while its hangers and other buildings are used for businesses and events. An expansion of Schönefeld Airport is currently underway, and it is set to re-open as Berlin Brandenburg Airport in 2013, with the planned closure of Tegel.

Berlin is not Germany's largest aviation hub, with Frankfurt International and Munich International airports seeing more flights. However, Berlin still has 1,441 weekly flights, with direct connectivity to 116 airports globally.

Frequently asked questions