http://www.adv.aero/fileadmin/pdf/st...sstatistik.pdf
indicates TXL+SXF combined saw 26.3m passengers in 2013, an increase of 4.1% on 2012. If passenger numbers grow a further 2.6% for 2014, then we end up with Berlin having reached the 27m passengers mark that is the defined capacity of the new BER airport, while the new airport won't open before 2015.
Of course, defined capacity is only a semi-arbitrary number and, while the level of service may not be quite as good, I imagine squeezeing 28m passengers through BER should not present any major difficulties
The interesting thing is what came out here:
Berlin's Schönefeld airport 'to stay open' - The Local
Namely, the publicly discussed option of keeping Schonefeld for LCCs even when BER is open...
Anyone able to comment as to whether this is a credible option, or just something being discussed as a
PR exercise ?