Berlin's airport operator has admitted that the long-delayed Brandenburg gateway will not open in 2017 as previously targeted.
"Unfortunately, it is not good news that I have to share with you at the beginning of the year," states chief executive Karsten Muhlenfeld in FBB's monthly newsletter for February.
Continuing issues with the terminal's automatic fire-door controls and "missing calculations" in relation to the sprinkler system have caused the latest delay. "The risk for an operational start this year was simply too high," Muhlenfeld writes.
He acknowledges that issues with the electronic controls for the fire doors were a key reason that the planned inauguration of the German capital's new airport back in 2012 was cancelled just weeks ahead of the target date.
But he insists that the situation today is not "nearly the same" as in 2012.
FBB says modification of the terminal's problematic smoke-extraction system – another central area of concern that influenced the decision to cancel the 2012 opening – is "nearly complete". However, "additive planning" has increased the construction workload.
The airport's supervisory board will now discuss options to address door and sprinkler system issues, says FBB.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
