Only one year to go until the official opening

The big moment is getting closer. Only one year from now the new airport for the region around Germany’s capital city opens: Berlin Brandenburg Willy Brandt. To allow passengers at the region’s busiest airport, Tegel, to familiarise themselves with the new airport, Berlin Airports and the Governing Mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit, Brandenburg’s Prime Minister, Matthias Platzeck, and the architect of the new airport, Prof. Dr. Meinhard von Gerkan, today unveiled a twelve-metre high installation that provides views of the new airport.

In his speech, Prof. Dr. Rainer Schwarz, Chief Executive Officer of Berlin Airports, said: “One year before the opening of the new Berlin Brandenburg Willy Brandt Airport, we have entered the home stretch. The new terminal, the south runway and the tower signal quite clearly that this is where the airport of the future for the region is being built. An airport which features a truly outstanding infrastructure and unique growth opportunities for airlines. With this installation at Tegel, we wish to invite passengers to experience the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport, and to join us in looking forward to the opening of Europe’s most modern airport.”

Klaus Wowereit, Governing Mayor of Berlin: “The countdown has started. Today we say goodbye to the abbreviation BBI, which was only a working title during the planning and construction phase. In future, every ticket to and from Berlin, and every flight schedule will state BER, short for our new Berlin Brandenburg Willy Brandt Airport. BER will be the international code for all flights to and from Berlin. These three letters will replace our previous codes: TXL, THF and SFX. BER stands for the vision of a strong, internationally networked business site which also includes a high capacity, high performance airport. Not a provincial airfield, but a large international hub which significantly shortens travelling times to many destinations all over the world and has competitive operating hours. In sum, BER stands for the type of airport the German capital, one of the most exciting and lively cities in Europe, fully deserves.”

Matthias Platzeck, Prime Minister of the State of Brandenburg: “Berlin Brandenburg Airport will have an immensely valuable impact on business and infrastructure. It offers vast opportunities for the development of business, research and services, and it creates thousands of jobs across the Brandenburg region, from Dahme-Spreewald and Teltow-Fläming as far afield as Lausitz. High-tech enterprises and scientific institutes will set up in the vicinity of the airport. Trade and service companies will help to generate more purchasing power. And, naturally, I look forward to the many international guests who will now be able to come to our beautiful state with even greater ease.”

Prof. Dr. Meinhard von Gerkan, architect: “The new Berlin Brandenburg is an airport that perfectly corresponds to the Berlin and Brandenburg region. The design of the new airport echoes traditional local architecture, embedding BBI in the region’s cultural heritage. The structured facades and clear geometric forms of the terminal pick up on typical architectural elements, ranging from the Prussian architect Schinkel to the Bauhaus style. The main access road – a tree-lined avenue – references characteristic features of the towns and countryside of Berlin and Brandenburg.”

Together with the installation at Tegel Airport, Berlin Airports also unveiled the new corporate design for Berlin Brandenburg Airport. A brand new logo has been designed for the new airport and the new name. The logo comprises of the three letters BER, which are the new airport’s trademark. Berlin Brandenburg Airport will also have a completely new look. The colour scheme is based on a vibrant, radiant scarlet and a deep, classic crimson. The lighter red features in the colours of the states of Berlin and Brandenburg and, as the ambassador for this region, it is only fitting that the colours should feature so prominently in the airport’s livery. A special typeface has also been designed that will be used in all press releases, information and promotional materials. The launch of the new corporate design will be further reinforced in an advertising campaign throughout Berlin and Brandenburg which Berlin Airports will be using to introduce the new airport.