As of November 8, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Swiss will start flying from Berlin Brandenburg airport, ceasing operation at Tegel. Just a few days earlier Eurowings will pave the way.
Brandenburg, which is still waiting for its grand opening, is already considered to be a bit of both: new and old at the same time. It can easily be named the most unlucky of all airports in Europe. Scheduled to open in 2011, nine years and three opening dates later, still remains empty. The project has run more than three times over its initial budget, to an estimated €7.3 billion.
The seemingly impossible task of completing all procedures and letting first passengers in might be coming to an end. Germany’s infamous airport has its final opening date – October 31, and Lufthansa Group airlines already announced a switchover. Considering that we’re talking about Germany’s flag carrier, it’s a clear sign that the grand opening might indeed finally happen.
Lufthansa’s last day at Tegel is scheduled on November 7, closing with LH1955 evening flight to Munich. First departure from Brandenburg will happen on November 8, with LH173 to Frankfurt taking off at 6:30 am. Lufthansa will be joined by their partners – Austrian Airlines, SWISS and Brussels Airlines on the same day, but Eurowings will start service to the new airport on November 4.
Moving operations to another airport certainly isn’t an easy task: Lufthansa Group flies as many as 33,000 Berlin passengers a day. Executive board member and CCO of passenger airlines Harry Hohmeister said:
“Berlin is a fascinating and cosmopolitan city that attracts people from all over the world. That is why Berlin needs an efficient airport. This also includes even better connections between BER and local public transportation as well as to the long-distance rail network. More ICE (Intercity trains) connections to Rostock, Dresden or Hamburg could strengthen intermodal traffic. That would be good for passengers and for the environment.”
According to press release the reservation systems have already been adjusted and all passengers holding tickets for this period will be notified about airport switchover. Flight numbers and timetable for departures and arrivals should remain unchanged.
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