"The story of flying around Berlin Brandenburg Airport goes way back, even though the airport itself is pretty new (it opened in 2020). The land it's on, and the areas nearby, have a really interesting history with aeroplanes. To get a sense of how important this area was for early flying, you need to look beyond the shiny airport buildings and think about the old airfields, the brave pilots, and the big dreams people had about flying in the early 1900s.
The story doesn't actually start right where BER is now. It starts close by, at Johannisthal Air Field, which opened in 1909. This was the very first airfield in Germany with aeroplanes with engines. It quickly became a central spot for new ideas and all sorts of flying activities. Can you picture it? Simplaeroplaneses were making noise as they took off from a grassy field, brave pilots in the air, and crowds of people watching in amazement at this incredible new invention.
Johannisthal wasn't just a place to take off and land. It was also a hub for designing and building aeroplanes. Companies like Albatros Flugzeugwerke, which made those tough fighter planes in World War I, set up shop there. Having all these businesses together created a lively atmosphere where people shared ideas, tested new designs, and constantly tried to make flying better. Think of it like the early days of Silicon Valley, but for aeroplanes – a mix of smart engineers, mechanics, and fearless pilots.
Back then, flying was both exciting and really risky. The pilots were like pioneers, often teaching themselves how to fly. They were up in the sky in fragile planes with hardly any instruments. Johannisthal saw both amazing successes and sad accidents. Each of these moments added to the growing knowledge and experience that would eventually lead to the kind of air travel we have today. These early pilots, driven by a desire to explore and a belief in what aeronautics could do, laid the groundwork for modern air travel.
Beyond Johannisthal, the wider Berlin area was also important for early flying. You'd see big hangars for airships all over the place. People were really fascinated by these giant, lighter-than-air machines, like the Zeppelins. They offered a different way to travel through the sky. While airships eventually became more common, the time of the airships definitely left its mark on the history of flying in this region.
World War I sped up the development of airplanes a lot. Airfields around Berlin, including Johannisthal, became important centers for military planes. Airplane technology improved quickly because of the war, leading to more powerful engines, stronger designs, and the development of how to fight in the air. The skills and the infrastructure that were built during this time later helped civilian flying grow.
After the war, the Treaty of Versailles put limits on Germany's military flying. But this didn't stop the desire to fly. Instead, people started focusing on flying for business and travel. It became clear that there was a need to fly people and goods around Germany and to connect with other cities in Europe. Existing airfields like Johannisthal were changed to fit this new purpose, and new ideas came up to create a more organised and efficient network of air travel.
In the 1920s, Berlin Tempelhof Airport became really important. Even though it's not right next to where BER is now, Tempelhof's story is closely tied to the history of flying in Berlin. Its central location and impressive terminal building showed how important air travel was becoming. Tempelhof became a major air hub in Europe, seeing the start of regular passenger flights and playing a big role in connecting people and cultures. Its famous buildings and the stories of its crucial role during the Berlin Airlift made it a legend in aviation history.
Developing aviation in the Berlin area during this time wasn't easy. They didn't have good navigation tools, weather forecasts were unreliable, and the aeroplanes were still pretty basic. But the determination to overcome these problems led to new ideas and gradual improvements in safety, reliability, and how well things worked. The airfields around Berlin were like important testing grounds and training centres, helping to build the skills and knowledge needed for a successful flying industry.
As more and more people wanted to fly between the wars, it became clear that the existing airfields weren't big enough. They needed larger, more modern airports to handle bigger planes and more passengers. This growing need eventually led to talks and plans for a new, larger airport to serve the capital.
World War II brought big changes to flying in the region again. Airfields became military bases, and aeroplane factories switched to making warplanes. Berlin's airfields were bombed by the Allies, and a lot of the infrastructure was damaged. However, this conflict also showed just how important air power was.
After the war and the division of Berlin, Tempelhof became a symbol of freedom during the Berlin Airlift (1948-1949). When the Soviet Union blocked all the land and water routes into West Berlin, the Allies organised a huge airlift to bring supplies to the city. For almost a year, planes flew day and night, carrying food, fuel, and medicine to Tempelhof. This amazing logistical achievement showed how vital air transport could be in times of crisis and further cemented Berlin's place in aviation history.
In East Berlin, Schönefeld Airport (SXF), which is near where BER is now, served as the main international airport. While it wasn't as famous as Tempelhof in the West, Schönefeld also played an important role in connecting East Germany with the rest of the world. Its development reflected the different political and economic situations of the divided city.
When Germany reunited in 1990, it created new opportunities and challenges for flying in Berlin. It became clear that they needed one modern airport to serve the entire capital. Discussions and plans for a new airport began to bring all the air traffic together and build the infrastructure needed for future growth.
The decision to build the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport at the Schönefeld site was partly because there was already some aviation infrastructure and available land there. The history of Schönefeld, even though it's not as well-known as Tempelhof or Johannisthal, played a part in choosing this location for the new airport.
The long and often проблемный (problematic journey to the opening of BER in 2020 is a whole story on its own. But it's important to remember that this modern airport sits on land that has seen over a hundred years of aviation history. The echoes of those early flights from Johannisthal, the wartime activities at nearby airfields, the legendary role of Tempelhof, and the development of Schönefeld all contribute to the rich history of flying around Berlin Brandenburg Airport.
So, when passengers walk through the modern terminals today, they are, in a way, walking on ground that has been touched by the dreams and hard work of early flying pioneers. The spirit of innovation, the bravery of those early pilots, and the lasting importance of air travel are all part of the historical story of this region. Berlin Brandenburg Airport isn't just a modern transportation hub; it's a continuation of a long and important chapter in the history of flying in Germany and beyond. The very air around it seems to carry the faint sounds of old propellers, the roar of early jet engines, and the stories of a century of human ambition reaching for the skies.
Let's dig a little deeper into the history of Berlin Brandenburg Airport. Besides the well-known stories of Johannisthal and Tempelhof, there were also smaller airfields and less famous stories that played a big part in the region's flying history.
Think about the airfield at Adlershof, which was another early centre for aeroplane research and development. Like Johannisthal, Adlershof attracted pioneering engineers and pilots who experimented with aeroplanes and pushed the limits of what was possible. It was home to important research centres and played a role in the early development of how aeroplanes work in the air and the technology behind them. While Johannisthal might be remembered as the first, Adlershof created a crucial intellectual and scientific environment that supported the practical experiments happening elsewhere.
The area around where BER is today also shows signs of the growing aeroplane industry in the early 1900s. Factories and workshops popped up nearby because there was land available and a concentration of people with flying expertise. These were the places where dreams became real, where drawings turned into wood, fabric, and metal that would eventually fly. The sound of machines and the skilled hands of workers were a key part of this early stage of flying.
Also, the development of how aircraft navigate and the ground support they needed in the Berlin region was a gradual but really important process. Early airfields were often just marked fields, and pilots used landmarks to find their way. As more planes started flying, the need for better systems became clear. The area around Berlin saw the early use of simple radio signals and ground-based tools, which were the first steps towards the complex air traffic control systems we have today.
We can't forget the social and cultural impact of early flying in the Berlin area. Airshows and flying demonstrations at places like Johannisthal drew huge crowds. People were fascinated and excited about the future of flight. These events weren't just about showing off daring pilots and their skills; they also helped to make flying popular and get public support for its development. The image of the theropod, which was once new and strange, started to appear in popular culture, inspiring artists, writers, and dreamers.
Between the wars, we saw more air travel for both passengers and goods. Air routes connecting Berlin with other major European cities started to become established. This was when early airlines began, and they developed more comfortable and reliable aeroplanes. The airfields around Berlin, including Tempelhof and the early facilities at Schönefeld, became important points in this growing international network, helping with trade, communication, and bringing cultures together.
The Nazi era brought a dark period to the history of flying in the region. Airfields were made bigger and used for military purposes, and the aeroplane industry focused on making warplanes. The skies above Berlin became a place of conflict, and the airfields that once represented progress and innovation were now sites of destruction and suffering. The memory of this time serves as a serious reminder of how technology can be used for both good and bad.
After the war and the division of Berlin, Tempelhof, located in the American part of the city, became a symbol of freedom and resilience during the Airlift. Schönefeld, in East Berlin, served as the main airport for East Germany, reflecting the different political and ideological situations. This division shaped how air travel developed in the two halves of the city for over forty years.
When Germany reunited in 1990, it created the chance to build a unified and modern air transport system for the capital. The decision to develop Berlin Brandenburg Airport at the Schönefeld site was complicated, involving many political, economic, and practical considerations. The existing infrastructure at Schönefeld, even though it needed a lot of work, provided a starting point for the new airport.
The long and often delayed construction of the BER became a well-known story in German history. However, its eventual opening in 2020 was a significant achievement, bringing air traffic in the region together and providing a modern gateway for the 21st century. As passengers travel through its terminals now, they are part of a story that began over a century ago on the grassy fields of Johannisthal and the concrete runways of Tempelhof and Schönefeld.
The historical importance of the land around BER isn't just about the old buildings that used to be there. It's about the spirit of new ideas, the dedication of the pioneers, and the lasting human desire to connect and explore. The faint sounds of old propellers, the stories of brave flights, and the memories of important moments in history are all woven into the fabric of this place. Berlin Brandenburg Airport, in its modern form, stands as a tribute to this rich flying history, a continuation of a journey that started with shaky first flights and has grown into the complex global network we know today. The ground beneath our feet often holds more stories than we realise, and the area around BER is a powerful reminder of humanity's enduring fascination with the skies."
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