After decades of administrative blabber and construction problems, Berlin Brandenburg Airport finally opened on Saturday. 2 A320neos from Easyjet and Lufthansa received a water salute in front of Terminal 1. The 1st flight took place the next day to London Gatwick Airport, operated by Easyjet. Germany’s Federal Minister of Transport, Andreas Scheuer, announced at the opening ceremony: “Today, the world is looking at BER, an airport that has been a source of great emotion for all of us in recent years. I hope that it will now quickly win the hearts of the people just as Tegel had a firm place in the hearts of Berliners for decades. As minister of transport, it is my aim to see BER become an international hub.” Berlin Schönefeld Airport, Berlin’s long-term secondary aiport, the oldest of the three airports (it existed from 1934 to the 25th of October this year), has closed down, but only under the Schönefeld name. Its runway, facilities and terminals will be used for Berlin Brandenburg Airport under the Terminal 5 designation due to the proximity between the 2 airports. In short, the 2 airports will be attached (this has not yet happened, Terminal 5 is yet to finish being refurbished). Tegel will operate its last scheduled flight on the 8th of November and will be gradually closed, although helicopter operations will continue to take place on the northern side of the airport until 2029. 4th of November 2020.
Aeronews24 