Berlin Tegel Airport

Berlin Tegel Airport. It was the primary international airport serving the German capital of Berlin for over five decades, operating from its post-World War II establishment until its closure in 2020. Located in the Reinickendorf borough, it was renowned for its innovative hexagonal main terminal design, which allowed for short walking distances from curb to gate. The airport's operations were ultimately superseded by the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), leading to its decommissioning and ongoing redevelopment.

History

The site's aviation history began in the early 20th century as a Luftschiffbau Zeppelin facility, later used for Nazi-era armaments research by Henschel & Sohn. After World War II, the French military rapidly constructed a temporary airfield here during the Berlin Blockade of 1948 to support the Berlin Airlift. Civilian operations commenced in 1960 with Air France flights, but Tegel's major expansion came after the Four Power Agreement on Berlin in 1971. The iconic main terminal, designed by Gerhard and Klaus Kirsten, opened in 1974, cementing its status as West Berlin's principal gateway during the Cold War and the era of the Berlin Wall. Following German reunification in 1990, it served the unified city, witnessing significant growth from carriers like Air Berlin and Lufthansa.

Facilities and terminals

The airport's most famous structure was the hexagonal Terminal A, a pioneering design that placed gates around a central parking and check-in core, famously enabling passengers to reach any gate within 30 seconds from their car. Satellite terminals Terminal B and Terminal C handled additional traffic, particularly for low-cost carriers such as easyJet and Germanwings. The complex also included a dedicated General Aviation Terminal and extensive cargo facilities operated by companies like Lufthansa Cargo. Its single runway, 08L/26R, was one of the shortest at a major European international airport, requiring specific performance criteria for aircraft like the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 families operating there.

Airlines and destinations

For much of its operational life, it functioned as a hub for the former German carrier Air Berlin, which based a large fleet of Bombardier Dash 8 and Airbus A319 aircraft there. Other major scheduled carriers included Lufthansa, which operated flights to its hubs in Frankfurt and Munich, and British Airways with services to London Heathrow Airport. The airport was particularly popular with low-cost carriers; easyJet established a major base, while Ryanair, Norwegian Air Shuttle, and Vueling also served numerous European destinations. Key routes connected Berlin to cities like Paris, Amsterdam, Zurich, and Vienna.

Accidents and incidents

The airport maintained a strong safety record with no fatal accidents involving commercial passenger flights throughout its civilian operational history. A significant incident occurred on 12 December 1980, when a Polish Air Force Antonov An-26 transport aircraft crashed into a house in the nearby Wedding district shortly after takeoff, killing all crew members on board. On 5 January 1986, a Aeroflot Tupolev Tu-134 overran the runway after a landing in poor weather, resulting in injuries but no fatalities. These events, alongside occasional emergency landings and technical diversions, constituted the most serious safety-related occurrences.

Closure and redevelopment

Its closure was long-planned following the decision to consolidate Berlin's air traffic at the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER). The final commercial flight, an Air France service to Paris–Charles de Gaulle Airport, departed on 8 November 2020. The site, known as the Urban Tech Republic, is undergoing a major transformation into a research and industrial park focused on green technology and urban innovation, led by the State of Berlin. Key historical structures, including the control tower and parts of Terminal A, are being preserved, while the vast airfield is being repurposed for a new residential district called Tegel. Category:Airports in Germany Category:Buildings and structures in Berlin Category:Defunct airports in Germany