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Is the Berlin Airport ready yet?

istderberschonfertig.de

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Re: Is the Berlin Airport ready yet?

#3

Post by ptaipale »

Fun page. The whole BER project and its delays is such an astonishing example of management that it is hard to believe it happened. I first thought it could only happen in some 3rd world country, but in fact, it couldn't happen in a 3rd world country. In a 3rd world country, the political leadership would simply jail bureaucrats until someone signs off the safety papers and says, go ahead and open the airport, never mind that the fire safety regulations were not followed.

But in Germany it was possible to have a) strong-willed politically elected project leaders who think they can waive off the regulations, and b) bureaucrats who still stick to the rules and keep their jobs.

What was most surprising was how the opening of this airport was "on track" until almost the last minute. I could imagine that many subprojects were late, but every subproject knew that some other subproject is even more late than they are, so everyone kept reporting "on track and in schedule" trusting that the other part will get the blame. Until the bubble burst.

In a way, this affair, although ridiculous, is a compliment to the safety culture and integrity of German bureaucracy, even if it irritates those of us who are squeezed at TXL.

Re: Is the Berlin Airport ready yet?

#4

Post by Loque »

I quite like the site, having lived in Berlin for a little bit I am also aware of the fact the new airport is quite a discussion point... personally I will be sad to see Tegel go as it represents simple air travel which just worked (maybe just lucky for me)... Schonefeld was never that enjoyable in comparison, but meh, it's just a means to an end :-).

Also, I think many people who have setup buildings/shops in Berlin will tell you the regulations (especially ones around fire) are infuriating.

Re: Is the Berlin Airport ready yet?

#5

Post by ptaipale »

gerbal wrote: post #2

Wasn't that airport supposed to be open in 2010?

When planning the project in 2000, the tentative opening was planned for 2007, but that was clearly too optimistic even if everything had been done properly. The attempt to actually open in 2012 was quite serious, and transfer from TXL was supposed to be just weeks away after the final acceptance round (which then failed spectacularly).

Re: Is the Berlin Airport ready yet?

#6

Post by probably_wrong »

For those that are not aware, the delays regarding the Berlin Airport are a running joke by now. And to add insult to injury, there are estimations that the new airport may already be too small to handle the projected number of flights to and from Berlin.

Just like the Therac-25[1] is used a a case study for proper software engineering, I'm positive the BER will be taught in engineering schools as a cautionary tale one day.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Therac-25

Re: Is the Berlin Airport ready yet?

#7

Post by phreeza »

As an explanation for non-germans: Berlin is supposed to get a new airport, the BER, but the project is massively mismanaged, and already way over schedule and budget. Recently, for the first time, a schedule for completion has been released. This site provides a way to track the progress made on this schedule.

Re: Is the Berlin Airport ready yet?

#8

Post by emilsedgh »

ptaipale wrote: post #3

Fun page. The whole BER project and its delays is such an astonishing example of management that it is hard to believe it happened. I first thought it could only happen in some 3rd world country, but in fact, it couldn't happen in a 3rd world country. In a 3rd world country, the political leadership would simply jail bureaucrats until someone signs off the safety papers and says, go ahead and open the airport, never…

In a 3rd world country, the political leadership would simply jail bureaucrats

You have a sweet understanding of third world countries.

In a third world country (at least the one I live in) all projects have the same fate. That's the default path a project takes. And that's not due to mismanagement but corruption.

Edit: Spelling mistake.

Re: Is the Berlin Airport ready yet?

#9

Post by farslan »

I thought Berlin has many airports (I remember Tegel and the other one). So this is another new one ? If yes, why is there a need for a new one :) For example Frankfurt has only one and it's capable much more than Berlin, because it's also a Hub for Lufthansa.
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