Work Stoppage on New Berlin Airport Could Further Delay Opening

Construction on the new, much-delayed Berlin Brandenburg International Airport (BER) has been halted in the entire area beneath the terminal roof.

According to BER, a part of the terminal was closed Sep. 18 as a purely precautionary measure due to preparations associated with installation of the smoke extraction funnels on the terminal roof. Three out of 20 ceiling panels were believed to be dangerous because they were fitted with ventilators that were too heavy. BER said it will draw up new evidence of static structural safety for three of the 20 terminal ceiling panels on which the building expert had established higher loads.

The work stoppage means more delays could be expected in the opening of the new airport, which is scheduled for the second half of 2017.

Costs have now risen to EUR5.4 billion (US$5.9 billion) for the much-delayed airport, which was originally scheduled to open in October 2011. Construction problems and technical issues have delayed the opening several times.

Since construction work began in 2006, costs for Germany's third biggest airport have reportedly increased from EUR2 billion to EUR5.4 billion - excluding costs for ground transportation and traffic connections.

When it opens, the airport is projected to be able to handle 27 million passengers.