Screens still doing trial runs
SOON after the newly reunified Germany decided, in 1991, to move its capital back to Berlin from Bonn, the discussion about a suitable airport started. Berlin had three tiny ones: the famous Tempelhof (now closed) where American and British “raisin bombers” landed during the Berlin Airlift of 1948-49, Tegel, which is also in western Berlin, and Schönefeld in the eastern part of the city. Tegel (still in use) had mainly served the airlines of the three western Allies while East Germans had used Schönefeld.Nearly everyone agreed in principle that the new capital needed a modern and sparkling airport. Planning started in 1996, construction in 2006. The plan was to open it in 2011.Alas, after several delays, the airport is still not operational. The buildings are ready in the state of Brandenburg that surrounds Berlin, near the old Schönefeld. But the train that arrives four times a day in the terminal does so only to ventilate the air and carries no people. The airport is due to open on October 27th. But most Berliners view that date like a second marriage, as the triumph of hope over experience.The new…
