Berlin Brandenburg Airport reports lower passenger numbers and drone disruptions

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) reported a decline in passenger traffic and flight movements during the second quarter of 2026. According to statistics from the Berlin-Brandenburg Statistics Office, the airport handled 6.8 million passengers in Q2, a 1.1 percent decrease compared to the same period in the previous year. Flight movements, including take-offs and landings, fell by 2.9 percent to 47,372.

The first half of 2026 also saw downward trends. Total passenger numbers for the half-year dropped by 1.2 percent to 11.9 million, while aircraft movements decreased by 4.2 percent to 84,762. Cargo and mail volumes also declined, with 22,386 tons transported in the first half of the year, a 6.0 percent decrease from 2025.

Separately, Berlin recorded the highest number of flight disruptions caused by drones in Germany during the first half of 2026, with 28 reported cases. Deutsche Flugsicherung noted that this high figure may be attributed to the implementation of a new drone detection system by the Federal Police in March, which allows for the identification of drones in a wider surrounding area, rather than just those in immediate flight paths.