The New Airport Could Not Open as Planned

2min Snip

00:00

Play full episode

Summary

Transcript

Episode notes

After almost four months of trials, it has been found that the operative ability of the new airport is well behind schedule due to messive construction delays. There is an extremely high risk for internal failure on the planned opening date. A later report by the brandenburg state controlling office found that, weeks before the open in date, the airport was only 56 point two per cent service ready. Only 26 of the 100 ad two gates were usable. Flight information system not working. Check in capacity too small for the pass volume. Video cameras insufficient. Escalators moving. Walkways and lips inoperative. Car parking towers unusable. Land network unstable data connection to the airport. Fire station not functioning

Days away from the planned 2012 opening party, nothing seemed wrong at BER. What was really going on? On this episode, we look at how the airport managers and politicians were messing with the plans, even as construction was underway.

They demanded a 70% increase in terminal space to add hundreds of extra shops, and requested special double story boarding gates for the supersized Airbus A380, even though no airline requested it. Instead of a working fire safety system, they planned to hire up to 800 people to act as human fire alarms.

Despite multiple warnings, the airport board pushed ahead with opening party plans right up until May 8, 2012, when the first major delay was announced. We meet the man who put a stop to it all – Stephan Loge, the administrator of the Brandenburg building department.

Also on this episode, Joel and Jöran visit the Schönefeld S-Bahn station in search of the empty train that runs nightly to the unfinished airport to keep air moving through the tunnels.

Presented by Radio Spaetkauf and RadioEins Producers: Joel Dullroy, Maisie Hitchcock, Jöran Mandik and Daniel Stern Music: Ducks! Artwork: Jim Avignon