Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) experienced a slight increase in passenger numbers last December with the start of the festive season. Airport traffic data reveals that a total of 1.77 million travellers used the airport, up from approximately 1.75 million in November.
In December 2022, BER recorded 1.53 million passengers, while Tegel and Schönefeld airports collectively received 2.6 million passengers in December 2019 before the pandemic, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
According to Aviation24, in terms of flight operations, December 2023 saw around 13,600 movements, marking an increase of about 1,400 flights compared to a year ago.
On the other hand, December 2019 witnessed a higher volume, with almost 21,200 flight movements at Tegel and Schönefeld airports. BER served a total of 23.07 million passengers last year, reflecting a surge of 3.22 million (16 per cent) compared to 2022.
12.6 Million Passengers Less Than in 2019
Despite this increase, there were still 12.6 million passengers short of pre-pandemic levels. The capital’s airport experienced a total of 176,649 aircraft movements in 2023, marking an increase of 7.5 per cent from the previous year and a marked contrast to the 277,600 takeoffs and landings recorded in 2019.
Further statistics revealed that last month, air cargo volumes in BER exceeded pre-pandemic levels by 14 per cent, reaching approximately 3,200 tons. Annual cargo statistics 2023 got 34,038 tons, showing an increase of nearly seven per cent compared to 2022’s figure of 31,827 tons. In comparison, 2019 saw a handling of 35,000 tonnes of air cargo.
Demand for Air Travel Shows a Consistent Upward Trend
Chief Executive Officer of Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH, Aletta von Massenbach, disclosed that the demand for air travel showed a consistent upward trend in the past year. She also said that in 2023, approximately 20 million individuals opted for BER, either outbound flights to international destinations or inbound flights from abroad to Berlin.
This corresponds to 73 per cent of the pre-pandemic level and is a sign that people are continuing to prioritize holidays. We actually returned to the 2019 level last year for long-haul connections.
Previously, BER Airport started implementing an AI-driven software solution aimed at optimising its handling processes. This strategic initiative reinforces the airport’s unwavering commitment to adopting advanced technologies, aiming to improve service quality, punctuality, and overall operational efficiency.
While BER initially directed its latest digital products toward terminal operations, the current focus is on integrating these advancements into the 49 platform positions adjacent to the terminal.