Airport Berlin Brandenburg

From Schönefeld to BER: The History of Berlin’s Main Gateway

The story of Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), named after Willy Brandt, is a fascinating journey. It evolved from a humble Soviet airfield into one of Europe’s most modern—and deeply troubled—mega-projects.

The Schönefeld Era: East Germany’s Hub

It all began in 1934 with the Henschel aircraft factory in the small town of Schönefeld. After World War II, in 1945, Soviet forces occupied the site and established a military airfield.

By 1947, civil flights had commenced. As West Berlin developed its own airports (Tempelhof and Tegel) under Allied control, Schönefeld became the primary international hub for East Germany (GDR) and the home base for its national airline, Interflug. The terminal built in the 1970s stood as a major symbol of East German civil aviation.

The Fall of the Wall and Grand Ambitions

Following Germany’s reunification in 1990, Berlin faced a major transport dilemma. The city was served by three separate airports, all either aging or trapped inside dense urban areas. The capital desperately needed a single, modern hub outside the city center.

In 1996, a historic decision was made: a brand-new mega-airport would be built from scratch, utilizing and vastly expanding the existing Schönefeld site.

The Construction Saga of the Century

Construction on the new BER officially started in 2006, with a grand opening scheduled for October 2011. However, what was meant to showcase German engineering precision turned into a decade-long saga. Just weeks before the rescheduled 2012 opening, inspectors found severe flaws in the automated fire safety system.

The opening was delayed around ten times. Faulty wiring, broken escalators, management scandals, and bankruptcies drove the budget up from €2 billion to over €7 billion. BER quickly became the target of endless jokes and public frustration.

A New Beginning: The Launch of BER

The long-awaited opening finally took place on October 31, 2020, right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. The old Schönefeld airport briefly served as "Terminal 5" of the new complex before closing its doors for good. Tegel and Tempelhof were officially retired as well.

Today, BER stands as a spacious, integrated hub featuring its own underground railway station. After a tumultuous journey, it has finally claimed its rightful place as the welcoming, high-tech gateway to Germany's capital.