After the massive decline in Air traffic Due to the corona pandemic, many airlines are again using more aircraft during the summer holidays in the capital region. As a result, Tegel Airport will not be closed as planned from June 15.
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The number of passengers is expected to increase again, said the head of Berlin Airports, Engelbert Lütke Daldrup. As originally planned, Tegel is now to be finally closed on November 8th. “November 8th will be an emotional moment,” said the airport manager. “Tegel has done a lot for Berlin.”
Until then, both Berlin airports – Tegel and Schönefeld – would be needed. “This creates the necessary space under corona conditions,” said Lütke Daldrup. The federal government had previously announced that it would lift its travel warning for 29 European countries on June 15.
On this day, Tegel was supposed to be temporarily off the grid. Because there were hardly any people flying due to the corona restrictions, Lütke Daldrup had wanted to concentrate Berlin’s air traffic at Schönefeld Airport since March. The federal government only gave up its resistance two weeks ago.
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Revenue losses in the hundreds of millions
However, the condition was that the flight needs of the capital region can be ensured at all times and that there are no problems with government flight operations. In a hurry, work began on the new government terminal at the future BER airport in Schönefeld.
The airport company Berlin Brandenburg is struggling with revenue shortfalls in the hundreds of millions due to the crisis.
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Berlin’s Tegel airport, close to the city center, was number four in Germany after Frankfurt, Munich and Düsseldorf with more than 24 million passengers last year. Schönefeld on the southeastern city boundary in Brandenburg is smaller, there were a good eleven million passengers.
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How many passengers can be handled in Schönefeld under corona conditions is not entirely clear. Following the formula that the capacity must be reduced by two thirds, there would be room for 10,000 passengers per day. At least, according to media reports, it is in an unpublished statement by the Senate.
The new one too Capital airport BER would only create a third of the capacity with distance regulations. After several missed appointments, it is planned that the BER will open on October 31st.
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