Overview
- Ute Bonde proposed a third runway at BER, a new terminal and limited exceptions to the night curfew such as roughly five post‑midnight landings per airline each year.
- She described the expansion as long‑term and confirmed there are no concrete plans, no Senate mandate and no prior coordination with airport management.
- Brandenburg leaders condemned the proposal, with SPD’s Ludwig Scheetz calling it “Berliner Arroganz” and the state government rejecting any relaxation of night‑flight rules.
- Critics argue a new runway is unnecessary because BER handles about 25–26 million passengers versus roughly 35 million before the pandemic, and capacity remains underused.
- BER observes a midnight‑to‑5 a.m. flight ban with narrow exceptions that can force diversions, and any major change would require agreement by the federal, Berlin and Brandenburg co‑owners.