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Berlin Airport: A Tale of Unfinished Skyscraper Dreams

Jeffrey Johnson03 mins

Challenges of the Berlin Brandenburg Airport Project

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<strong>Ongoing saga: </strong>The opening of Berlin Brandenburg Airport Willy Brandt has been delayed for nearly six years.
Ongoing saga: The opening of Berlin Brandenburg Airport Willy Brandt has been delayed for nearly six years.
<strong>Clear for takeoff: </strong>At a promotional event in March 2012 it appeared to be all systems go for the launch.
Clear for takeoff: At a promotional event in March 2012 it appeared to be all systems go for the launch.
<strong>Constant setbacks:</strong> The airport, which will become the city's main international airport when it finally opens, was due to launch in June 2012, but this was canceled less than a month beforehand.
Constant setbacks: The airport, which will become the city’s main international airport when it finally opens, was due to launch in June 2012, but this was canceled less than a month beforehand.
<strong>Behind schedule: </strong>A faulty fire-protection system, ill-fitting escalators and structural faults in the ceiling are among the many problems that have contributed to the delay.
Behind schedule: A faulty fire-protection system, ill-fitting escalators and structural faults in the ceiling are among the many problems that have contributed to the delay.
<strong>New dawn: </strong>Brandenburg is supposed to represent a new era in German aviation and take the pressure off the city's Tegel and Schönefeld airports.
New dawn: Brandenburg is supposed to represent a new era in German aviation and take the pressure off the city’s Tegel and Schönefeld airports.
<strong>Tumbleweed: </strong>Brandenburg's tarmac has remained unsullied as ill winds continue to blow.
Tumbleweed: Brandenburg’s tarmac has remained unsullied as ill winds continue to blow.
<strong>Information, but no flights:</strong> Boards were switched on and displayed flight information from nearby airports to make sure they worked.
Information, but no flights: Boards were switched on and displayed flight information from nearby airports to make sure they worked.
<strong>Welcome to Berlin: </strong>Signage and marketing was in full swing with a positive message to the world.
Welcome to Berlin: Signage and marketing was in full swing with a positive message to the world.
<strong>Runway to nowhere: </strong>But the airport remains dormant, a vast aviation hub sitting idle as air traffic piles up elsewhere.
Runway to nowhere: But the airport remains dormant, a vast aviation hub sitting idle as air traffic piles up elsewhere.
<strong>Over the fence: </strong>Services to nearby Schoenefeld Airport continue as the Brandenburg project drags on.
Over the fence: Services to nearby Schoenefeld Airport continue as the Brandenburg project drags on.
<strong>Temporary solution: </strong>Tegel Airport is currently being used as the main international airport for Berlin. It was expected to close when Berlin Brandenburg went into service, but locals voted to keep the airport open in a 2017 referendum.
Temporary solution: Tegel Airport is currently being used as the main international airport for Berlin. It was expected to close when Berlin Brandenburg went into service, but locals voted to keep the airport open in a 2017 referendum.
<strong>Embarrassing debacle:</strong> Germany's largest daily newspaper BILD has called the situation a 'disgrace for Germany.'<br />
Embarrassing debacle: Germany’s largest daily newspaper BILD has called the situation a ‘disgrace for Germany.’
<strong>Heavy fall-out:</strong> Berlin's then-mayor Klaus Wowereit (pictured right) stood down as head of the supervisory board overseeing the project in 2013 after facing criticism.
Heavy fall-out: Berlin’s then-mayor Klaus Wowereit (pictured right) stood down as head of the supervisory board overseeing the project in 2013 after facing criticism.
<strong>Construction site: </strong>Around six billion euros ($7 billion) have been spent on building the new airport so far, with many elements having to be started from scratch.
Construction site: Around six billion euros ($7 billion) have been spent on building the new airport so far, with many elements having to be started from scratch.


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