It was supposed to be finished in 2007 - the ceremony marking the beginning of construction took place at midday Tueday. Yes, Berlin's new airport - Berlin-Brandenburg International, to be built at the site of the existing Schönefeld Airport, is finally officially under construction.

Delays in planning, financing, the odd bit of dodgy corruption and lawsuits from noise-plagues residents all combined to prevent the airport from being built to anything like the original schedule. The opening date is now tentatively set for 2011, but don't worry too much about keeping your diary open for the opening ceremony: all bets are on further delays.

This does however mean one shorter term to Berlin's airports: Tempelhof is scheduled to close in 2007, now that a replacement is in sight.

Posted at 2:21 PM in