The BER airport continues to be in the red Photo: ppl fux
By Michael Sauerbier
Berlin’s bankrupt airport BER has already devoured 7 billion euros. By 2026, the owners Berlin, Brandenburg and the federal government would have to inject another 700 million euros, the boss admits. Passenger numbers are increasing only slowly.
BER counted 19.85 million passengers in 2022. That is twice as many as in the previous year. But in 2019, 35.6 million flew from Tegel and Schönefeld! “We are still a long way from the pre-Corona numbers,” admitted Airport boss Aletta von Massenbach (54), “we will only reach them in 2029”.
This year, she expects only a slight increase to 23 million passengers. The result: “I expect a loss of 260 million euros for 2023,” Massenbach (salary of 500,000 euros) had to admit when asked by the BZ.
Airport boss Aletta von Massenbach (54) continues to expect losses Photo: Carstensen/dpa
Last year the airport lost 90 million. But only because he was able to sell two lots for 180 million. The only ray of hope: Pure flight operations brought a profit of 57 million euros for the first time. Reason: The BER fees are twice as high as in Tegel and Schönefeld.
Just a drop in the ocean. In order to save the airport from bankruptcy, taxpayers must contribute a total of 2.4 billion euros from 2021 to 2026. Massenbach: “700 million are still missing.”
But the BER boss also has good news: clearance should soon be faster. In 2024, BER will take over passenger checks from the Federal Police – with new devices. Massenbach: “Water bottles and laptops can then remain in hand luggage.”