Berlin Schönefeld Airport: Countdown

3 June 2012 - Save the date! (the airport will open)

It is actually closer than we can all grasp. While the residents and the airport company are still fighting at court about routes and noise protection, the "hard ware" improves daily and nearly totaly unnoticed since the court battles get all the media coverage.

What is left to do?

• The way from check-in counter to the bridges on the main and south pier facilitate treadmills, which are almost all already installed, not on the North pier. 
• The check-in is supposed to be ready by November 2011, also the security gates. 
• Test, tests and tests are being planned. From January on everything will be tested until May 2012, arrival, departure, security, the whole airport operations.
• Public transport. There will be an underground S-Bahn (city train) stop in the airport and a connection from the current station of Schönefeld (yes, it is an existing city, not just an airport) to the airport. They still have to close the gap between those two stations. 
• The tower is currently being equipped with the latest technology. Beginning of 2012 the controlers will move to the new 72 meter high tower.

Do you want to test the airport in Berlin? They are looking for 10,000 volunteers. As of today they seem to have found enough, but if you want to register for the waiting list, you can do it here (only in German).

Successful Protest Against Airport Noise?

The protests have been heard. Finally. But also one point is again very clear: somebody will be disturbed by the airport. But who? Will it again be an East-West discussion? The state of Brandenburg will re-plan the routes according to the SPD. This means actually nothing though German press is celebrating the stamina of the local residents. The citizens were demanding better protection against the noise and the court decided that they are eligible for soundproof windows and other protection measures.