Berlin's troubled Brandenburg Airport still in crisis one year after opening

Berlin's long-awaited airport, Berlin-Brandenburg, opened in October 2020, billions of euros over budget and delayed by nearly a decade. One year later, the German hub is still in trouble.

(CNN) — After nearly a decade of delays and billions of euros over budget, Berlin's long-awaited airport, Berlin-Brandenburg, finally opened on October 31, 2020.

But turbulence has continued for BER during its first year of operation, with a long list of problems and passenger complaints: lengthy check-in and security lines; confusing layout and signage; cramped, dirty bathrooms; and bacteria found in drinking water, just to name a few.

Most recently, a fire alarm on November 5, which was possibly triggered by a passenger smoking in a restroom, resulted in an evacuation and, for many passengers, another security check mandated by the federal police, even if they had already been screened. Although many departures were held back to accommodate the delay, travelers still missed their flights.