Roberta Aguirre
Berlin's Tegel Airport has been described as cramped, shabby, congested, tired, and outdated. It has been criticised for its poor or non-existent facilities, tiny duty-free, and insane overpricing. The airport was originally designed to handle 6 million passengers a year, but it now copes with more than three times that number. The airport's closure was announced multiple times, but it continued to operate until November 2020 due to the delays in opening the new Brandenburg Airport.
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What You'll Learn
Cramped, shabby conditions
Berlin Tegel Airport, which finally closed in November 2020, was known for its cramped, outdated conditions. The airport was built in 1974, and its hexagon-shaped design meant that only one terminal was needed and connections were short. However, its small size also meant that it could quickly become overcrowded and overwhelmed during peak travel periods. The airport was originally designed to handle 6 million passengers a year, but in later years it was handling more than three times that number.
The airport's unique architecture and design made travellers feel like they had been "time-warped into the 1970s". One reviewer commented that the airport was "congested, tired and outdated". The airport's limited size meant that passengers were sometimes unsure which queue they should be in to catch their flight.
The airport's facilities were also criticised. Some travellers complained that the airport lacked the facilities of larger air hubs, with a tiny duty-free shop and poor or non-existent lounges. One reviewer described the airport as "dirty and depressing", while another said that it was basically a "portacabin". Others complained about the long queues at immigration and unhelpful staff.
Despite these criticisms, some Berliners held Tegel Airport in high regard due to its charm and proximity to the city. The airport was also praised for its efficient design, with short walking distances of just 30 metres from aircraft to the terminal exit.
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Poor facilities
Berlin Tegel Airport has been described as having poor facilities, with some reviewers going as far as to call it a "disgusting, dirty and depressing 'airport'". The airport has been said to be cramped, shabby, and outdated, with a limited lounge area and a tiny duty-free section. The airport was originally designed to handle 6 million passengers a year, but now copes with more than three times that number. This has resulted in overcrowding and long queues, especially during peak travel periods. The airport's unique hexagonal design, while admired by some, has also been cited as a reason for the cramped conditions and long queues. The small size of the airport also means that there is limited capacity for long-haul jets, with the runway being too short for the Airbus A380 superjumbo.
The airport's remote location has also been a source of frustration for passengers, as it is quite far from the city centre. This has resulted in longer travel times and inconveniences for those travelling to and from the airport.
In addition to the physical facilities, the customer service at Tegel Airport has also been criticised. Some passengers have reported rude and unhelpful staff, particularly when dealing with issues such as lost or delayed baggage. The airport's immigration process has also been described as inefficient, with long wait times of up to an hour and a half to get through.
The airport's closure in November 2020 was a relief to many, as it had become congested and outdated. The opening of the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport, which had been delayed for over a decade, finally provided a modern and efficient alternative to Tegel.
While some may have been sad to see the unique and historic airport go, the poor facilities and limited capacity of Tegel Airport had become increasingly apparent as air traffic to Berlin grew. The new airport is expected to provide a much-needed update in terms of infrastructure and passenger experience.
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Overcrowding
Berlin Tegel Airport has been described as crowded and outdated, with its cramped setup leading to long queues and frustrated passengers. The airport was originally designed to handle 6 million passengers a year, but in recent years it has been handling more than three times that number. This has resulted in overcrowding and overwhelmed staff during peak travel periods. The small size of the airport means that there is limited space for passengers to wait during delays, and the facilities are not adequate for the number of people using them. The airport's limited capacity for long-haul jets, with its runway being too short for the Airbus A380 superjumbo, has also contributed to the overcrowding issue.
The unique design of the airport, with its hexagon-shaped terminal, means that only one terminal is needed and connections are short. However, this also contributes to the crowded feeling of the airport, as all passengers are funnelled through a single terminal. The airport's proximity to the city centre has made it a popular choice for travellers, but it has struggled to keep up with the increasing demand for air travel in Berlin.
The opening of the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport was meant to alleviate the pressure on Tegel Airport, but a series of delays and technical issues have kept Tegel in service for longer than expected. The new airport was originally planned for 27 million passengers, but with Berlin's existing airports already handling close to this number, there are concerns that the new hub will not be able to cope. The delays in opening the new airport have had a significant impact on the German travel industry, with airlines unable to expand their route networks until the new airport opens.
The overcrowding at Tegel Airport has led to a negative impact on the passenger experience, with long queues, limited facilities, and frustrated staff. The airport's temporary nature, with some terminals being little more than large portacabins, has also contributed to the feeling of overcrowding and disorganisation. The closure of Tegel Airport in November 2020 was a relief to many, as it marked the end of an era of cramped and congested conditions.
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Construction and budgeting issues
Berlin Tegel Airport was constructed in 1974 and was initially intended to handle 6 million passengers a year. However, by 2015, the airport was handling more than three times that number. This overcrowding was due to the rapid growth of air passenger traffic in Berlin, which outpaced the capacity of Tegel Airport. The airport's small size and limited infrastructure, including a short runway, constrained its ability to accommodate larger aircraft and expand its route network.
The construction of Berlin Brandenburg Airport, which was intended to replace Tegel, was plagued by delays, technical issues, and budgeting problems. The original estimated cost of the project was €2.83 billion, but by 2016, the total costs had soared to €6.9 billion, with an additional €1 billion expected to be needed to complete the project by 2020. This put the project at least €5 billion over budget.
The delays in opening Brandenburg Airport kept Tegel Airport in service far beyond its intended lifespan. The outdated design and inadequate facilities of Tegel contributed to a negative perception among some passengers, who complained about cramped conditions, long queues, and limited amenities.
The closure of Tegel Airport was scheduled for 2012, but due to the delays with its replacement, it remained operational until November 2020. The final flight from Tegel Airport departed on November 8, 2020, marking the end of an era for this unique and historic airport.
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Delayed closure
Berlin's Tegel Airport was initially scheduled to close in 2012. However, delays in the opening of the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) kept Tegel in service for several more years. The new airport was first planned to open in June 2012, but a series of technical issues, including wiring problems, escalators that were too short, and structural concerns, led to repeated postponements. By 2016, the projected cost of the new airport had risen to €6.9 billion, far exceeding the original estimate of €2.83 billion.
The delays in opening the new airport meant that Tegel continued to serve as one of Berlin's main airports, alongside Schönefeld. Tegel Airport, with its hexagon-shaped terminal, was known for its unique architecture and design, which dated back to the 1970s. While some passengers appreciated its charm and proximity to the city, others found it cramped, congested, and outdated. The airport was originally designed to handle 6 million passengers annually, but it often accommodated more than three times that number, leading to overcrowding during peak travel periods.
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant decline in passenger numbers at Tegel, and the airport was temporarily closed for a brief period. However, it reopened and continued operations until its final closure in November 2020. The last scheduled passenger flight from Tegel Airport departed on November 8, 2020, marking the end of an era for the much-loved and hated airport.
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Frequently asked questions
Tegel Airport was built to handle 6 million passengers a year, but it was handling more than three times that number. The airport is crowded and outdated, with poor or non-existent facilities, tiny duty-free, insane overpricing, and rude staff.
Travellers had to queue up on the jet bridge as the customs checkpoint was right after disembarking the aircraft. There was a small baggage carousel, and there was basically no departures area. Travellers also had to wait quite some time for their baggage.
Tegel Airport was built in just 90 days during the Berlin Blockade in 1948. It connected West Berlin to the outside world during the Cold War. The airport was used by the military until 1960 when it was given over to civilian use.
Tegel Airport was showing its age and limitations in a world where air traffic was growing dramatically. The new Berlin Brandenburg Airport was supposed to open in June 2012, but due to a series of delays and technical issues, it did not open until October 2020.
