Organizers of the IFA show Aug. 31-Sept. 9 are...
Organizers of the IFA show Aug. 31-Sept. 9 are unfazed by Berlin authorities’ sudden decision not to open the sprawling new Berlin Brandenburg Airport southeast of the city, spokeswoman Nicole von der Ropp told us. The airport was to have…
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
If your job depends on informed compliance, you need International Trade Today. Delivered every business day and available any time online, only International Trade Today helps you stay current on the increasingly complex international trade regulatory environment.
opened June 3, but the debut was scrapped until March 17, 2013, because inspectors refused to approve interim fire safety measures planned at the airport until problems with the planned permanent system could be fixed. IFA organizers strongly touted Berlin Brandenburg’s opening at a media event mid-April. In early June, Berlin’s outdated Tegel Airport “will die,” replaced by “Europe’s newest airport, with two runways and 76 additional nonstop international flights connecting Berlin,” they said then (CED April 17 p5). Major airlines have announced they plan to rebook the additional flights through Tegel. IFA organizers think the Berlin Brandenburg Airport delay will have “no great impact” on the show, “except that we unfortunately cannot land at the new airport with more modern ambiance and service,” von der Ropp said. “Otherwise we are very pleased that the expanded range of flight connections which were scheduled for [Berlin Brandenburg] are now available in Tegel. In this respect, we benefit as announced. Since fire protection is a high safety factor, a shift was inevitable, but of course the safety of our attendees is of highest priority.”