In an interview published late Tuesday, Berlin’s new Senator for Mobility, Ute Bonde (CDU), argued that the capital’s BER Airport will need a third runway within the next decade to stay competitive and attract long-haul carriers. Bonde also proposed allowing airlines up to five landings per year after the current midnight curfew to prevent weather-related diversions to Hanover and Leipzig.
Capacity crunch – BER handled 25.3 million passengers in 2024, already exceeding its single-runway design capacity of 28 million. Forecasts by the German Aviation Association show demand bouncing back to 35 million by 2029, driven by tech-sector growth in Berlin and Europe-Asia transfer traffic. Airlines complain that slot scarcity and the blanket 00:00-05:00 curfew deter new routes – Emirates shelved plans for a Dubai service in 2023 on curfew grounds before Condor eventually launched a compromise daylight flight.
Political hurdles – Any third-runway project would require agreement from Brandenburg’s state government, which owns the airport land and remains firmly opposed to weakening the curfew. Environmental NGOs already plan lawsuits, citing noise overbuilt suburbs such as Blankenfelde. Bonde insists that preliminary feasibility studies can be financed from BER’s operating surplus without committing to construction.
![Berlin’s transport chief calls for third runway and limited night-flight easing at BER airport]()
Implications for corporates – Multinationals with Berlin hubs, notably in biotech and software, would gain more intercontinental options and reduced reliance on FRA and MUC for connections. Relocation specialists note that easier direct flights could make Berlin postings more attractive for expatriates. However, residents near flight paths may push for stricter noise-mitigation measures, adding cost and uncertainty.
For travelers and mobility teams anticipating a wider network of long-haul routes, ensuring that visa paperwork keeps pace with flight plans is crucial. VisaHQ’s online platform (https://www.visahq.com/germany/) streamlines visa applications for Germany-bound passengers and outbound executives alike, providing up-to-date requirements, document checks, and expedited processing that can save time as BER attracts more intercontinental carriers.
Next steps – BER’s supervisory board will discuss a capacity master-plan in January 2026. The Senator will table her night-flight flexibility proposal to the Berlin-Brandenburg joint aviation commission next spring. In the meantime, business-travel managers should monitor slot filings for S26, as carriers might test demand with late-evening arrivals before any wider curfew change.
Capacity crunch – BER handled 25.3 million passengers in 2024, already exceeding its single-runway design capacity of 28 million. Forecasts by the German Aviation Association show demand bouncing back to 35 million by 2029, driven by tech-sector growth in Berlin and Europe-Asia transfer traffic. Airlines complain that slot scarcity and the blanket 00:00-05:00 curfew deter new routes – Emirates shelved plans for a Dubai service in 2023 on curfew grounds before Condor eventually launched a compromise daylight flight.
Political hurdles – Any third-runway project would require agreement from Brandenburg’s state government, which owns the airport land and remains firmly opposed to weakening the curfew. Environmental NGOs already plan lawsuits, citing noise overbuilt suburbs such as Blankenfelde. Bonde insists that preliminary feasibility studies can be financed from BER’s operating surplus without committing to construction.
Implications for corporates – Multinationals with Berlin hubs, notably in biotech and software, would gain more intercontinental options and reduced reliance on FRA and MUC for connections. Relocation specialists note that easier direct flights could make Berlin postings more attractive for expatriates. However, residents near flight paths may push for stricter noise-mitigation measures, adding cost and uncertainty.
For travelers and mobility teams anticipating a wider network of long-haul routes, ensuring that visa paperwork keeps pace with flight plans is crucial. VisaHQ’s online platform (https://www.visahq.com/germany/) streamlines visa applications for Germany-bound passengers and outbound executives alike, providing up-to-date requirements, document checks, and expedited processing that can save time as BER attracts more intercontinental carriers.
Next steps – BER’s supervisory board will discuss a capacity master-plan in January 2026. The Senator will table her night-flight flexibility proposal to the Berlin-Brandenburg joint aviation commission next spring. In the meantime, business-travel managers should monitor slot filings for S26, as carriers might test demand with late-evening arrivals before any wider curfew change.
