Nobody expected this: The Munich-based long-distance bus provider FlixBus buys Berlin's disaster airport BER and converts it into the world's largest bus station!
The world's largest long-distance bus station is scheduled to open on the site of the previously planned airport as early as April 2018. This marks the end of the BER project. Whether the capital will make a new attempt to build a major airport remains unknown.
Already completed parts of the airport are to be put to new use.For private purposes”, said Flixbus spokesman Martin MangiapiaThe company will retain two runways and the tower. The Munich-based company has not yet revealed how it intends to use the airport tower.
“Incredible opportunity”
FlixBus founder and managing director André Schwämmlein is enthusiastic about the deal:
"We have been given the incredible opportunity to once again usher in a new era in the global long-distance bus industry. This offers the city of Berlin and its residents the opportunity to break new ground in sustainability."
According to Schwämmlein, long-distance bus travel is far more environmentally friendly than air travel, solves the noise protection problem for the Berlin area and relieves the strained traffic situation.
Update April 2: As you may have already guessed, the message is not entirely serious.
