Press release

EASA emergency drill at BER Airport
Emergency forces rehearsed an emergency in the aviation security area

Large-scale operation at Berlin Brandenburg Airport Willy Brandt. On 11 October 2022, the airport company rehearsed for an emergency as part of an extensive emergency drill together with the federal police, fire brigade and the district of Dahme-Spreewald. This was what is known as a “full-scale emergency drill” in accordance with the guidelines of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which usually takes place every two years.

The first drill following BER’s commissioning involved practising a scenario called “Quadriga” – the collision of an airport bus carrying passengers with a winter service vehicle on the apron, with the indirect involvement of a second apron bus as well as casualties and material damage. The objectives of the drill were to rescue people, provide technical assistance and cooperate with internal emergency personnel and the disaster response team in a mass-casualty incident (“MCI” situations).

The emergency management team, airport care team of Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH (FBB), airport security, airport fire brigade, traffic department and terminal management were deployed together with the federal police and the district of Dahme-Spreewald. A total of approx. 180 emergency personnel and approx. 110 volunteers took part. Flight operations at BER Airport were not affected.

Thomas Hoff Andersson, Chief Operating Officer at FBB: “Even before BER opened, all processes at the airport were tested extensively – including emergency situations. Now we are, for the first time since commissioning, practising an emergency situation on a regular basis so that we can work together in an emergency with our partners, such as the district and the federal police, in practised processes. The rehearsed procedures have shown that the airport company and all those involved are prepared for an emergency. I would like to thank all the emergency personnel, the drill supervisor and preparation team and the approximately 110 volunteers for their careful preparation of the drill and their service today.”

Stephan Loge, Head of the Dahme-Spreewald District Authority: “Drills are important! BER Airport is one of the largest infrastructure projects in our district and, therefore, always a risk factor. This is why security conditions must be reviewed regularly and participants trained regularly.”

Regular emergency drills are required by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for all commercial airports. Commercial airports are certified by the responsible aviation authority according to EASA requirements.