Year-end press conference 2009: Berlin Airports successfully defies the global financial crisis
18.12.09 00:00Berlin Airports defies the crisis
With traffic figures stable, Berlin Airports is able to break away from the negative trend of German and European airports. 1,695,294 passengers were recorded in November – a year-on-year increase of 4 per cent. All in all, a total of 19.4 million passengers were handled in the first 11 months of 2009 (-2.4 per cent).
Schwarz is expecting almost 21 million passengers to take off and land at the Berlin airports this year: “Passenger figures are verging on the record level of 2008, despite the strong decline in January and February this year. With a forecast drop of around two per cent, this will be the seventh year in a row that we have fared much better than the average German airport.”
Increase in turnover and pre-tax result
Biggest infrastructure financing operation in Europe stemmed
€1 billion for the region
“This year has seen BBI rise up from the ground and take on the shape of an airport. Every day, we are one step closer to becoming the airport of the future. This success is also based on the SMEs in Berlin and Brandenburg, for 62 per cent of all building contracts were awarded to companies in the region”, said Manfred Körtgen, BBI/Technical Director at Berlin Airports.
BBI milestones
Outlook: key steps towards realising the new airport
Berlin’s biggest relocation project: During the night of 29 October 2011, the spectacular move will take place. Two will become one: the airports Tegel and Schoenefeld will close in the evening and all portable equipment, machines and installations will be moved to the new Capital Airport overnight, where the first charter plane will take off on the morning of 30 October 2011.
BBI fees: In setting the fees for the future Capital Airport, Berlin Airports is planning the next steps for 2010. Firstly, bilateral talks will be held with the airlines before an agreement is reached with associations and authorities. This is designed to create a fees and charges system that reflects the range of different traffic at the Berlin airports.
Non-aviation: This week saw Gebr. Heinemann KG become the first tenant in the new Capital Airport BBI and the future operator of duty free/duty paid space. Heinemann was able to beat the competition with a strong regional focus in terms of its range and shop concept. The regional aspect will also play an important role when it comes to awarding gastronomy and shopping space, which is expected to be completed in the first half of 2010.
