Owais Crawford
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) has been riddled with problems since its opening in 2020. The airport has been criticised for its poor planning, management, and infrastructure, resulting in a negative reputation among travellers. Issues include lengthy check-in and security lines, inadequate facilities, and organisational problems. The construction of the airport was also plagued by delays, cost overruns, and technical challenges, such as issues with the fire safety system. With continuous construction and improvements, the airport aims to enhance efficiency, capacity, and quality of service to restore Berlin's position as a significant aviation hub in Europe.
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What You'll Learn
Poor planning and management
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) has been riddled with issues since its conception, with problems arising from poor planning and management. The airport was initially planned to consolidate three well-established airports into a single airport serving Berlin and Brandenburg. However, the planners did not adequately consider the challenges of integrating these airports into one. As a result, construction delays and budget overruns became commonplace.
In 2012, just weeks before the scheduled opening, BER was denied operating approval due to fire safety issues. The smoke extraction system was faulty, increasing safety risks and causing further delays. A new management team discovered numerous faults, including faulty cabling, which had to be rectified. These issues turned BER into a laughing stock, and the project continued to suffer from poor management.
The project was plagued by poor communication, poor decision-making, and organisational problems. There was a lack of coordination and communication between engineers, architects, contractors, and government officials. The involvement of multiple government departments and political measures further hindered decision-making. Financial control by Berlin, Brandenburg, and Germany was deemed insufficient and inefficient, leading to a scathing 400-page report by auditors.
The airport's design also suffered from poor planning. The terminals are crowded, with inadequate waiting areas and long security lines. The signage is confusing, and the airport lacks basic amenities like water stations and sufficient bathrooms. The infrastructure is outdated, lacking in-seat power outlets and proper access for strollers. These issues have led to a poor reputation for BER, with travellers experiencing discomfort, inconvenience, and frustration.
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Inadequate facilities
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) has been criticised for its inadequate facilities, which have contributed to its poor reputation. The airport has faced significant challenges in meeting growing passenger demands, with crowded terminals and long wait times. The complex organisation of the terminals, coupled with inadequate signage, often leaves passengers confused and stranded. The airport also lacks sufficient waiting areas at the gates, causing inconvenience and discomfort.
The design and infrastructure of BER fall short when compared to other global airports. The absence of essential facilities, such as water stations, has been noted as a basic failure in meeting human needs and environmental responsibility. The airport's infrastructure also lacks modern conveniences like in-seat power outlets, instead relying on portable charging stations. The bathroom facilities have also been criticised for their poor maintenance, with issues such as broken bag hooks and water puddles.
The security and check-in processes at BER have been a significant source of frustration for passengers, often resulting in lengthy delays and missed flights. The security checks have been described as inefficient and time-consuming, lasting anywhere from 10 minutes to 3 hours. Passengers have also encountered issues with baggage handling, including long waits for baggage pickup and a lack of clear instructions regarding luggage retrieval.
The airport's location and transportation options have also been criticised. Unlike other major German airports, Berlin Brandenburg Airport does not have immediate plans for a high-speed rail connection. Passengers are faced with the inconvenience of having to rely on commuter or regional rail services, which require additional connections for onward travel. The airport's remote location further contributes to the challenges of accessing it conveniently.
The inadequate facilities at BER can be attributed to poor planning, management, and construction issues. The integration of three established airports into a single location presented inherent challenges that were not adequately addressed. Delays and cost overruns plagued the construction process, and technical challenges, such as issues with the fire safety system, further exacerbated the problems. The management of the construction project was criticised for its poor communication, decision-making, and organisational shortcomings.
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Long check-in and security lines
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) has been criticised for its long check-in and security lines. In 2021, a year after the airport opened, passengers were still reporting hours-long waits to check in and get through security, leading to missed flights and irate passengers. One man claimed he had been in a check-in queue for three hours and had only moved forward five metres.
The airport's management and staff are aware of the issue and are working to improve the situation. By the end of March 2022, the airport aimed to open Terminal 2, which had previously been closed due to low passenger numbers. The hope was that this would help to ease congestion and improve the flow of passengers.
The long lines at BER are thought to be due to a combination of factors, including poor planning and management of the construction project, inadequate infrastructure, and organisational problems. The airport was initially designed to handle 27 million passengers a year, but in 2019, more than 35 million people passed through Berlin's existing airports at Tegel and Schönefeld, which were replaced by BER. As a result, the terminals at BER become crowded, and passengers are forced to wait for hours.
The complex organisation of the terminals, with inadequate signage, also contributes to the problem. Passengers often find themselves stranded or confused, trying to navigate their way through the airport. This is made worse by the lack of escalators and long platforms, which mean passengers have to carry their luggage for long distances.
Some passengers have also reported that the security checks at BER are more time-consuming than at other airports. One passenger noted that the large X-ray machines at security required them to remove items from their bags, which slowed down the process.
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Inefficient transport connections
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) has faced a multitude of issues since its opening in 2020, including inefficient transport connections. The airport is located 18 kilometres (11 miles) southeast of Berlin's city centre, and passengers have complained about the lack of efficient transport options to and from the airport.
One of the main issues is the absence of a high-speed rail connection. Germany's rail company, Deutsche Bahn, has no immediate plans to provide a high-speed rail link to the airport, unlike other major German airports. Passengers travelling to and from Berlin Brandenburg Airport by train will have to rely on commuter or regional rail services, requiring a change at the central station for onward travel. This can be inconvenient and time-consuming, especially for those with luggage.
Additionally, there are limited options for those travelling to and from the airport by road. As one passenger recounted, the only way in and out of the previous Tegel Airport was by road, and if the buses were late or on strike, passengers had to deal with either fighting for space or waiting for hours for a taxi. Similar issues have been reported with Berlin Brandenburg Airport, with passengers missing flights due to long queues at check-in and security, leaving them with no choice but to take a taxi to the airport the next day.
The airport's remote location and lack of efficient transport connections have contributed to its poor reputation and the frustration of travellers. The airport has also faced financial challenges, with passenger numbers significantly lower than expected, further impacting its viability and ability to improve transport connections.
Furthermore, the airport's location and transport connections have had broader implications. When Germany moved its capital from Bonn to Berlin after reunification, the country's fleet of aircraft remained in Cologne-Bonn Airport due to the lack of space at Berlin's smaller airports. Berlin Brandenburg Airport was intended to address this issue by providing a larger facility. However, even with the new airport, the Bundeswehr (Germany's armed forces) has stated that there is only enough space to accommodate seven of its 19 planes, requiring the rest to fly in from Cologne-Bonn Airport to pick up VIP passengers. This has led to dissatisfaction among climate activists and government accountants due to the unnecessary carbon emissions and additional costs incurred.
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High costs and financial losses
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) has been riddled with financial woes since its inception. The airport was initially supposed to be completed in 2011, but construction delays and budget overruns plagued the project. Poor planning, management, and coordination among stakeholders led to numerous setbacks and increased costs. For instance, they failed to factor in the challenges of integrating three established airports into a single one, resulting in construction delays and ballooning expenses.
The airport also faced significant technical challenges, particularly with its fire safety system installation. Issues with the smoke extraction system caused safety concerns, leading to further delays and additional costs. These issues severely damaged the reputation of the airport even before it opened, leading to a crisis of confidence among travellers.
When the airport finally opened in 2020, it was amidst the coronavirus pandemic, which had already disrupted the airline and travel industries. As a result, passenger numbers were a fraction of pre-pandemic figures, with Berlin's air passenger traffic down nearly 70% in August 2020 compared to the previous year. This resulted in substantial financial losses for the airport, with the company losing approximately $1.16 billion in 2020 alone, and expecting even higher losses in subsequent years.
The financial situation was so dire that the CEO, Aletta von Massenbach, warned of the need for urgent funding, stating that the airport would require an additional 2.4 billion euros by 2026. The airport's financial woes were not helped by its reputation for inefficiency, with passengers complaining about lengthy check-in and security lines, unfriendly staff, and inadequate infrastructure.
The airport's troubles were not just limited to financial losses but also included high costs. The actual costs of the project stood at over €7 billion ($8.2 billion), a significant burden shared by the states of Berlin and Brandenburg and Germany's federal government. The delays and cost overruns were exacerbated by the pandemic losses, and without additional financial support, the company overseeing the construction, FBB, faced bankruptcy even before the airport opened.
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Frequently asked questions
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) has been criticised for its long security check lines, which have caused passengers to miss their flights.
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) has faced numerous construction issues due to poor planning, management, and coordination between stakeholders.
Yes, passengers can consider flying into Berlin's older airports, Tegel, Schönefeld, and Tempelhof, which were replaced by BER.
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) has faced financial difficulties, with losses amounting to $1.16 billion in 2020 and requiring additional funding from the state to avoid bankruptcy.
The negative reputation of Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) has led to concerns from the Willy Brandt Foundation, which considered revoking the airport's permission to bear the former chancellor's name due to disrespect towards his legacy.
