Originally scheduled to open in 2011, Berlin-Brandenburg International Airport is now expected to start operating in the second half of 2017. Europe's largest airport project, it has been under construction since 2006. The delay is due to a number of technical problems, ranging from insufficient check-in desks to inadequate air-conditioning, cable-ducting and fire-protection systems. Opening day will no doubt be eagerly greeted by many UK business travellers as the long-awaited replacement for the outdated Tegel. In the meantime, if you happen to be in the area, you can visit Brandenburg International for a look around and, for just 10 Euros, partake of the BER “Experience Bus” Tour of the airport site. First stop is the 105 feet tall observation tower, from which you can enjoy a birds-eye view of the terminal, runways and other features. At the terminal's glass facade you can get a glimpse of “The Magic Carpet” artwork by Pae White, one of several pieces specially commissioned for the airport. Next stop is the gate specially designed to handle the Airbus A380, decorated with Olaf Nicolai's “Gadget”. The tour climaxes with a 60 mph runway dash, with a stop for passengers to get off, take pictures and spot the empty trains which run daily back and forth to keep the system in tip-top form. Here's looking forward to the opening in - fingers crossed - two years time!
Berlin Airport (BER)
Image Credit:
© Günter Wicker / Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH
The Vision
Berlin Airport (BER)
Image Credit:
© Alexander Obst / Marion Schmieding, Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH
Berlin Airport (BER)
Image Credit:
© Alexander Obst / Marion Schmieding, Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH
Berlin Airport (BER)
Image Credit:
© Björn Rolle / Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GbmH
Berlin Airport (BER)
Image Credit:
© Björn Rolle / Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH
Berlin Airport (BER)
Image Credit:
© Günter Wicker / Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH
Berlin Airport (BER)
Image Credit:
© Günter Wicker / Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH
Berlin Airport (BER)
Image Credit:
© Günter Wicker / Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH
Title Image Credit: © Björn Rolle / Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GbmH (Image Cropped)
Sara Williams
February 24th, 2016 05:11