Berlin-Brandenburg Airport is still not operational, and is not expected to open until 27 October 2013. A report warns a report by the “Bild” newspaper to potential shortages of baggage, check-in and security checks.

The new airport originally got approval for handling 45 million passengers per year, but is now meant for only 27 million, which is roughly as many as the existing airports handle already. In fact, it can cope adequately with only 17 million.

In addition to shortages of check-in counters and security checkpoints will be particularly the small baggage criticized, they say. A spokesman for the airport said, according to the report, additional baggage carousels could be after the opening when needed quickly planned and built.

The European Commission (EC) has approved a €1.2 billion ($1.6 billion) capital injection by the public owners. The funds will be used to complete construction of the airport, which racked up €1.2 billion in extra costs after a German court judgment tightened noise protection rules.

The airport has also been plagued by planning and construction problems, leading to multiple delays to it planned opening.

“Since the intervention would be made on terms that a private investor operating under normal market conditions would accept, it does not involve any state aid as defined by EU rules,” EC said in a statement. “Since [airport manager Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg] is unable to finance these costs through internal resources, the public owners plan to increase its equity by the same amount.”

The airport originally had a budget of $3.2 billion, but is now likely to cost twice as much. Air Berlin, the carrier most affected, has sued for damages. And four people have died during construction.

Source: German News
Photos: Rob Vogelaar Z.A.P.P.

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