Tegel Airport

Tegel Airport was a major international airport located in the Borough of Reinickendorf in Berlin, Germany, named after Otto Lilienthal, a German aviation pioneer. The airport was initially built in the 1940s by the Allied Powers during the Cold War and was used by the United States Air Force and the Royal Air Force. It was also used by British European Airways, Pan American World Airways, and Air France. The airport played a significant role in the Berlin Airlift, with C-47 Skytrain and C-54 Skymaster aircraft delivering supplies to the city.

● History

The history of Tegel Airport dates back to the 1930s, when it was used as a testing site for Messerschmitt and Arado aircraft. During World War II, the airport was used by the Luftwaffe and was a key location for the German war effort. After the war, the airport was occupied by the Allied Powers and was used as a base for the United States Air Force and the Royal Air Force. The airport was also used by Sabena, Swissair, and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. In the 1960s and 1970s, the airport underwent significant expansion, with the addition of new terminals and runways, and was used by Lufthansa, Air Berlin, and Condor Flugdienst. The airport was also a hub for Interflug, the national airline of East Germany.

● Location and Layout

Tegel Airport was located in the Borough of Reinickendorf in Berlin, approximately 8 kilometers northwest of the city center. The airport was situated near the Spandau district and was accessible by Berlin Tegel Airport railway station and the A111 autobahn. The airport had a total area of 461 hectares and had two parallel runways, with a length of 3,023 meters and 2,428 meters, respectively. The airport was also home to the German Aerospace Center and the Berlin Institute of Technology. Nearby landmarks included the Spandau Citadel, the Olympiastadion Berlin, and the Museum Island.

● Facilities

Tegel Airport had a range of facilities, including five terminals, with a total area of 25,000 square meters. The airport had 23 gates, with 16 equipped with jet bridges. The airport also had a range of shops, restaurants, and bars, including Heinemann Duty Free, Burger King, and Starbucks. The airport was also home to the Lufthansa Aviation Center and the Air Berlin Training Center. Other facilities included a VIP lounge and a conference center. The airport was also equipped with CT scanners and explosive detection systems for security screening.

● Airlines and Destinations

Tegel Airport was a major hub for Air Berlin and Lufthansa, with flights to destinations across Europe, North America, and Asia. The airport was also served by Ryanair, EasyJet, and Eurowings, with flights to destinations such as London, Paris, and Rome. Other airlines that operated at the airport included Turkish Airlines, Austrian Airlines, and Swiss International Air Lines. The airport was also a popular destination for charter flights, with airlines such as Condor Flugdienst and TUI fly Deutschland operating flights to destinations such as Mallorca and Cairo.

● Closure and Redevelopment

Tegel Airport was closed on November 8, 2020, and was replaced by the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport, which is located in Schönefeld. The closure of the airport was part of a larger plan to consolidate air traffic in the Berlin region and to reduce costs. The site of the former airport is planned to be redeveloped into a new urban district, with a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial uses. The redevelopment plan includes the construction of new homes, offices, and shops, as well as the creation of a new park and a range of community facilities. The plan is being led by the State of Berlin and the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure.

● Statistics

In 2019, Tegel Airport handled over 24 million passengers, making it one of the busiest airports in Germany. The airport had a total of 164,000 flights, with an average of 450 flights per day. The airport was also a major cargo hub, with over 40,000 tons of cargo handled in 2019. The airport was served by over 60 airlines, with flights to over 150 destinations worldwide. The airport was also a major employer, with over 10,000 people working at the airport. The airport's closure has had a significant impact on the local economy, with many businesses and jobs affected. The closure has also had an impact on the environment, with a reduction in noise pollution and emissions. Category:Airports in Germany