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BER - Berlin Brandenburg Airport

2011-11-24 Bild
24 November 2011

2011-11-24 Head_EN

The moment I opened my eyes this morning, I had a weird feeling, like butterflies in my stomach – excitement, obviously. That’s because today we are actually starting up operations at the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport. Well, okay, for now it is only trial operation – but we’re getting there!

First of all, the staff of the airport, the airlines and the participating public authorities will test the new airport. My colleagues and I now have the opportunity to test every aspect of airport operation – and you will be interested to know that we have prepared the biggest training program ever to be held at an airport.

The second stage of testing is set to begin in late January. Then, every Tuesday and Thursday, trial operations will be held with volunteers, who signed up last summer within the space of just a few weeks for the privilege of acting as airport testers. Just as if they were booked onto a genuine flight, the testers will go to check-in with their little wheelie cases, have their boarding card printed out, pass through the security checks and proceed to the departure gate.

Trial operations are scheduled to take six months after which, on 3 June 2012, Berlin Brandenburg Airport Willy Brandt will finally open.