Imagine a place where politicians and dignitaries embark on journeys of national importance. This is the Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg Militärischer Teil. It is more than just an airfield. It is a symbol of German aviation and governmental operations in the capital.
Since late October 2020, the new government airport has been operating. It sits within the Willy Brandt Airport. This dedicated terminal in Schönefeld serves a vital function. It is the processing building for flights of the Federal Government. The terminal also acts as a reception area for state visits.
The Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg Militärischer Teil hosts security control equipment. It ensures the safety of all passengers passing through the government terminal. Large glass surfaces dominate the airfield side. They mark the new government terminal. The words “Bundesrepublik Deutschland” are emblazoned with the Bundesadler. This marks the importance of this place.
The German Defense Ministry’s air readiness squadron has been stationed here since 2020. The Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg Militärischer Teil covers 16 hectares. It includes a 79 million-euro interim terminal. This is where German politicians’ government flights depart. The German Federal Government also holds state receptions here. Julia Klöckner, then Minister of Agriculture, was the first to land here.
The German government decided against building a new terminal. This decision came after objections from the airport company and state politicians. The new terminal is postponed until 2030. However, the other parts of the government airport will be constructed. Hangars, offices, and the apron for the air readiness squadron should be completed by 2032. The new government terminal with a protocol area is planned to be in operation in 2035. But these plans may change.
The air readiness squadron is currently spread across three locations. These are Cologne, Schönefeld, and Berlin-Tegel. The largest part of the association is still in Cologne-Wahn. Cologne-Bonn Airport is the current base where the aircraft are maintained and crews are exchanged. In Schönefeld, there is only the interim terminal building. This is where government members and parliamentarians start their business trips. Foreign state guests are also received here.
German government aircraft must fly from Cologne to Berlin without passengers or freight. The Federal Court of Auditors has already criticized such empty flights. The Ministry of Defense calls them “Bereitstellungsflüge”. The ministry claims they are “always used for the training and further education of crews”. They state there are no “empty flights.”
The air readiness squadron of the German Defense Ministry transports government members and members of parliament. They also fly German Armed Forces personnel and material worldwide. They support various missions. Sick and injured people are transported from crisis areas. The squadron has 15 aircraft in operation. These range from small jets for 13 passengers to large A350 aircraft. Once the government airport is launched, these machines will be fully maintained and parked in Schönefeld.
The helicopter squadron of the Federal Government will move from Tegel to the Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg even earlier than planned. According to a ministry spokesman, a rented property should be completed on the BER site. The Federal Real Estate Agency is responsible for construction. It provides the infrastructure for the German Armed Forces at the airport.
As we conclude our visit to the Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg Militärischer Teil, remember its crucial role. This is a place of transit, diplomacy, and defense. It serves as a base for important government operations. The airport connects Berlin to the world. It ensures that Germany remains engaged on the global stage.