BER is looking for 20.000 volunteers to "test drive" new airport

By Abi Carter

If you don’t want to until October to see BER, the forever-delayed Berlin Brandenburg Airport, it’s your lucky day. BER is looking for 20.000 volunteers to “test” the new German airport.

Put Berlin Brandenburg Airport to the test!

Under the motto, “Ready, set, test!” a new BER website is calling for 20.000 volunteers to put Berlin Brandenburg Airport through its paces. The “dress rehearsals” will take place over a period of 30 days, well in advance of the official grand opening of the airport on October 31, 2020, and will see volunteers testing various airport processes.  

The tests begin on April 29 with a simulated evacuation of the airport, as 1.000 passengers attempt to leave the building as quickly as possible - expect crowds, as there is already a waiting list for this session!

Then, from June 23 to October 15, the “normal” tests will begin. These will focus on “everyday operations” such as check-ins, bag drops, security checks and boarding. 

Anyone who “loves airports or is just curious” is invited to register their interest. Each volunteer will be allowed to participate in two sessions, and in return will receive coffee, water and food. The only proviso is that you must be at least 18 years old. 

The woeful story of Berlin Brandenburg Airport

After years of delays, structural problems and corruption scandals, the long-awaited Berlin Brandenburg Airport has become something of a national laughing stock. The airport was originally supposed to open nine years ago - in October 2011 - but fire safety concerns prompted it to be postponed last minute. 

Since then, multiple new opening dates have come and gone, as the project staggered from problem to problem and blew its initial budget of 2,83 billion euros three times over. Nonetheless, boss Engelbert Lütke Daldrup is certain that the October opening date is fixed: “This time it will work!”

Thumb photo credit: Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH / Günter Wicker

Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy
follow us for regular updates:

Abi Carter

Editor in chief at IamExpat Media

Abi studied German and History at the University of Manchester and has since lived in Berlin, Hamburg and Utrecht, working since 2017 as a writer, editor and content marketeer. Although she's happily taken on some German and Dutch quirks, she keeps a stash of Yorkshire Tea on hand, because nowhere does a brew quite like home.Read more

For expats of all colours, shapes and sizes

Never miss a thing!Sign up for expat events, news & offers, delivered once a week.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy

© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.