Press release

Germany's best “Luftie” comes from BER

Linus Schwenger honoured by the DIHK as the best aviation management assistant apprentice

Linus Schwenger from Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH is Germany’s best graduate in the “Aviation clerk” apprenticeship programme. The 21-year-old was honoured on Monday as one of 207 top trainees nationwide by the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) in Berlin. The 2024 graduates obtained the highest scores in their final examinations at the respective chambers of industry and commerce in their training occupations and, therefore, came out on top among a total of about 250,000 examination participants. Linus Schwenger obtained an average grade of 1.0 in the examinations held by the Cottbus Chamber of Industry and Commerce and was presented with a certificate and trophy at a ceremony in Berlin’s ECC Estrel Congress Centre along with all the other top candidates in Germany. Among the well-wishers were DIHK President Peter Adrian, German Federal Minister of Economics, Robert Habeck, and Jens Warnken, President of the Cottbus Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

Linus Schwenger began an apprenticeship-integrated degree course in aviation technology/aviation management at Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH on 1 August 2021. That initially included a reduced 2.5-year aviation training programme. The degree programme began in tandem with the 2nd year of training. He will graduate with a Bachelor of Engineering in 2026.

Linus Schwenger came to Schönefeld for his dream job from his home on Lake Constance. “BER, which had just opened at the time, particularly appealed to me as a training centre,” says Linus Schwenger. “I found growing and learning with the airport particularly interesting. I am delighted to have received this award and would like to thank everyone who has supported me along the way.”

Michael Halberstadt, Chief Human Resources Officer at Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH: “Many congratulations to Linus Schwenger. I am delighted that he is the best aviation clerk in his apprenticeship year in Germany. This shows that our training at BER is of high quality and that it is worthwhile applying motivation, diligence and enthusiasm while learning a profession. I am convinced that he will also successfully complete his studies.”

Jens Warnken, President of the Cottbus Chamber of Industry and Commerce: “Linus Schwenger has been honoured as one of the best three in Brandenburg. He has demonstrated particular determination and great ambition with his extraordinary achievements. The economy relies on young professionals like him. We wish him all the best for the future.”

In all, about 130 trainees and dual students are currently working at the airport company. Applications for a technical apprenticeship can still be submitted for the start of training in summer 2025. All student courses are listed in the airport company’s job exchange.