Page 31 - AAA JULY-AUGUST 2012 Online Magazine

OPINION

YOU SAY, I SAY

Technical issues about fire protection installations have meant that the on-off saga
of Berlin Brandenburg Airport continues, maybe not opening until next year. with the
news of the extra delay, airlines and operators are understandably impatient.

“The new AirporT will open lATer ThAn plAnned. This conclusion was reached
by the airport operator in view of the latest findings gathered over the past few days. Up
until now the project leadership team was convinced to be able to meet the deadline of the
opening. Following several crisis meetings, the team has reached the conclusion that the
completion and subsequent acceptance tests of certain safety relevant installations was
no longer possible by the planned opening date. The airport operating company therefore
decided to change course 27 days before the planned opening to prevent any potential
shortcomings in the area of safety. Safety is number one priority.”

- Berlin Airport Management statement

”i don’T UnderSTAnd iT, especially since at an airport like this, aside from the
cutting board in the restaurant kitchen, due to the building code regulations there’s
actually nothing that can burn. it’s a huge embarrassment for Berlin and the whole
world is laughing at us now. Above all, we intend to have a say in the new opening
date and to be regularly informed. we can’t allow anything else to go wrong.”

- Hartmut Mehdorn, CEO of Air Berlin, talking to Der Speigel

The airport should only be opened if stable and safe flight
operations can be provided. It would be a bigger catastrophe if
a new date was named now that would have to be postponed again.

- Lufthansa spokesperson

What’s your view? Log on to www.asianairlines-airports.com and let us know what you think.

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