BER expects more than one million travellers during the Christmas holidays
Spain is the most popular holiday destination
Christmas time is travel time: the airport company is expecting more than 1.05 million passengers during the coming holidays from 20 December to 5 January. That is about 100,000 more than during last year’s Christmas holidays. At this time, 62 airlines will connect the region with a total of 123 destinations in 47 countries. In the 2023 Christmas holidays, 54 airlines flew to 114 destinations.
And again, travellers are tempted by the sun. Spain, with the Balearic island of Majorca and the Canary Islands, is the most popular destination, followed by Italy, Türkiye, France and Portugal. However, sunny climes further afield are also in demand, such as the coastal city of Hurghada in Egypt or Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
Most flights will be operated by Ryanair with about 1,300 take-offs and landings and easyJet with some 1,200 take-offs and landings during this two-week period. BER expects about 210,000 passengers on the first holiday weekend from Friday, 20 December to Sunday, 22 December. About 78,000 guests are set to use BER at the start of the holiday period on Friday alone. At the start of the holidays, our BERteam will once again be out and about in the terminals to assist travellers.
“We are delighted to offer our passengers even more holiday destinations during the Christmas holidays this year than last. Dubai alone will be flown twice daily by two airlines this winter. Our thorough preparations during the last few weeks have enabled us to offer all our departing and arriving passengers the most relaxed stay possible at our airport,” says Aletta von Massenbach, Chief Executive Officer of Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH.
The airport company recommends that all travellers use digital services such as BER Runway or BER Biometrics to minimise their waiting times and make their travel experience as comfortable as possible. 15 airlines offer the fast bag drop for baggage check-in without waiting times at machines in both terminals.
Travellers are also asked to arrive at the airport on time and as recommended by their airlines. Conversion work is currently being performed in BER Terminal 1 for the gradual installation of new technology for security controls. The airport company therefore recommends passengers to check the BER app, website or the large screens on site before departure to see which security lane in both terminals has the shortest waiting times. Travellers can also reach all departure gates from the security controls in Terminal 2.
Whether check-in, baggage handling, catering, technical infrastructure, traffic management, security, fire service or de-icing - the holiday season is a busy time for the airport company’s employees and their partners. During the three days of Christmas, the airport company alone will have more than 400 employees on duty each day in the terminals or on the aprons to guarantee flight operations.
Anyone in need of a last-minute Christmas present before departure can go shopping in both terminals. Numerous shops are open until at least 7 pm on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and public holidays. Heinemann Duty Free in the security area of both terminals is open for business up until the last departure. Restaurants, bars and cafés are open at the usual times or according to the flight schedule.
The most important travel tips
The airport company asks all passengers to prepare well for their journey and observe the security control regulations. For example, in both terminals only liquids in containers of up to 100 ml are permitted in hand luggage. However, in Terminal 2, liquids and laptops no longer need to be placed separately on the conveyor belt.
BER Runway: Reserving a time slot for access to the security control saves waiting time. The service is free of charge and can be booked from seven days before departure. Travellers who have booked a time slot simply go to boarding pass control 4 in Terminal 1 with their boarding pass. From there, they can reach any departure gate: https://runway.berlin-airport.de
BER Biometrics: Thanks to BER Biometrics, various services can also be used contactlessly via facial recognition. Interested passengers can download the SmartDepart app onto their smartphone and register there. When they book a flight, they shall automatically receive a time slot for BER Runway, which is valid for two hours before the selected time slot. Via BER Biometrics, travellers can also use contactless access to the central exit in Terminal 1 or their booked access to the Tegel lounge. https://biometrics.berlin-airport.de/
EasyPASS: Passengers who have a biometric passport or new German ID card can use the EasyPass automatic passport control system and, therefore, pass through border control more quickly when travelling to a non-EU country. This also applies to third-country nationals aged 12 and above who hold an electronic passport and German residence permit. It is not possible with children’s passports. More information
Relaxed stay: Travellers can also book into one of the two BER Business Lounges. In the BER Tegel and Tempelhof Lounges they can relax or find a quiet corner to concentrate on work. Both lounges also offer a wide range of catering options and a separate conference room. https://lounge.berlin-airport.de
Shops and restaurant: At BER, travellers will find numerous shops and restaurants in both the public and security restricted area. In the Rewe supermarket in the public area of Terminal 1, travellers can also buy the ingredients they need for Christmas dinner or New Year’s Eve on any day. Fresh baked goods are available directly opposite at Kamps; the bakery is open around the clock every day. https://poi.berlin-airport.de
Getting there: Passengers can easily reach BER by public transport or car. You can save money if you book a car park online in advance at parken.berlin-airport.de . https://ber.berlin-airport.de/de/orientierung/anreiseundabreise.html
Passengers can find detailed information on the website (https://ber.berlin-airport.de/en/fliegen/reisehinweise.html) or in the BER App (https://app.berlin-airport.de).
Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg
Operating Area BER North
Willy-Brandt-Straße 1
12529 Schönefeld
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