The Ongoing Multi-Billion Dollar Disaster of Berlin’s New International Airport
THERE’S a joke in Germany about Berlin’s new airport.
“It’s not an airport, it’s an oversized bus station because while you can’t board any planes there is at least a bus every hour.”
There is also an airport hotel, but no passengers to fill it, and an underground station, but no trains run through it. Above ground the terminal stands gleaming, its lights on and its gates ready. But no plane has ever landed here.
Originally estimated to cost 2 billion euros (AUD$2.8bn) the tab for Berlin Brandenburg Airport is now running in excess of 6 billion euros (AUD$8.5bn). It was due to welcome its first flights in 2012, there is still no clear opening date.
Despite the doors being shut, every day the airport costs German taxpayers 1 million euros in construction and maintenance fees.
