seen business travel change rapidly over recent years. “Of all the German cities, Berlin has had least exposure to the business and corporate travel market, largely due to its political history,” he says. “But with many government bodies relocating back to the city, and an increasing number of major international companies choosing to open offices or headquarters, there has been an obvious increase in associated business bookings.” He adds: “The city is definitely a magnet for organisations looking to hold conferences and events. It
looks likely that demand for business hotels will increase still further with the opening of the new airport.”
Ah yes, the new Brandenburg airport, much needed and anticipated, its delayed opening currently causing consternation. It was due to open in June this year, then pushed back till March 2013, but German media is speculating over further delays. An announcement is expected mid-September. When it does open, it will signal the end of an era that saw a divided city split between three airports. The airport
will be the new home of Oneworld carrier Air Berlin, and the Lufthansa Group is dedicating 35 aircraft to it. Its 27 million passenger capacity could, eventually, increase to 45 million. Lufthansa’s UK general manager Christian Schindler says: “Since June, Lufthansa has added a substantial number of frequencies to Berlin. We currently have 22 Heathrow-Berlin flights a week, and daily flights from Manchester and Birmingham. There’s been a sharp increase of corporate travel from the UK to Berlin, too.”