Increase in travelers at Berlin Brandenburg Airport during the first half of the year - Airport's Capacity Remains Undisclosed by Authorities
In the year 2024, Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) marked an important milestone in its history, experiencing significant growth in both passenger traffic and financial performance compared to previous years. This growth was a promising sign of recovery from the challenges posed by the Corona pandemic.
The airport handled approximately 25.5 million passengers in 2024, marking a 10.4% increase over the previous year. This surge in passenger volume was accompanied by a 8.5% increase in aircraft movements, totalling 191,718 for the year. Cargo also saw a substantial boost, with a 30.0% year-on-year increase, reaching 44,275 metric tons.
This robust growth in traffic was the primary reason for the improved financial performance of BER in 2024. The airport reported a revenue of €645.7 million, reflecting a significant increase. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) reached €152.3 million in 2024, an increase of over 22% compared to the previous year.
However, underlying financial pressures persist from prior years. Operating expenses rose to €514.4 million, partly due to new measures such as the collection of aviation security fees. Despite a reduction in debt to €134.4 million in 2024, a decrease of 78.4 million euros compared to the previous year, BER remains dependent on financial resources from its shareholders, the federal government, Berlin, and Brandenburg.
Looking ahead, the airport's goal is to continue to increase passenger traffic and recover from the effects of the Corona pandemic. BER CEO von Massenbach stated in May 2025 that the airport company is on track to achieve financial independence.
It's important to note that, despite these improvements, BER has not yet reached the passenger traffic levels it had in the important comparison year of 2019. The year 2019 is still considered an important benchmark in the tourism industry.
The airport continues to invest in sustainability measures and initiatives aimed at improving customer satisfaction, with a focus on operational and financial stability. With expansion projects underway, BER is poised for further growth, aiming to increase its theoretical annual capacity from 46 million passengers to 58 million by 2035.
In the first half of 2025, 12.1 million passengers used BER, which is a two percent increase compared to the same period in the previous year. The number of take-offs and landings at BER in the first half of 2025 was 92,500, up from approximately 87,000 in the same period of the previous year.
As BER continues its recovery and growth, it remains a key player in the tourism industry, working towards achieving financial independence and meeting the challenges of the future.
The community policy at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) may need to address the growing demand and accompanying increased traffic volume, as the airport aims to achieve financial independence and expand its capacity. A lifestyle that incorporates frequent travel may find BER an increasingly accessible and convenient hub for their journeys.
As the airport continues to grow and invest in sustainability, its employment policy will likely expand to accommodate new positions in various sectors, including aviation security, customer service, and operations, catering to the travel-focused lifestyle of its passengers.
