Berlin’s new International Airport is likely to open next month after a prolonged period of nine-years despite the corona virus pandemic.

 The Chief Manager of the airport stated this on Tuesday.

The boss of the new facility, Engelbert Luetke-Daldrup, told newsmen that “On October 31, 2020, BER will open.”

“The German capital will finally have an airport that meets international standards.”

Terminal 1 of the airport situated on the southern outskirts of Berlin will be inaugurated with departures by German flag carrier Lufthansa and British no-frills airline EasyJet while a few shops and a tourism office will open too on the first day, but other terminals will have to wait until next year to serve passengers due to a drop in demand because of the COVID-19 outbreak, Luetke-Daldrup said.

The existing Schoenefeld airport located nearby will become Terminal 5.

 Luetke-Daltrup said that“There won’t be a big party, just an opening,”

Note that BER was set to open in 2011 but the date was repeatedly pushed back due a series of issues, including fire safety and corruption.