As planned, Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH is on its way to financial independence. In 2023 FBB was once again able to generate a positive operating result. EBITDA – earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation – amounted to 124.4 million euros, excluding extraordinary effects. For the first time, this was higher than before the coronavirus pandemic.
Passenger numbers are one key reason, having risen again in 2023. In the last year, more than 23 million people travelled via Berlin Brandenburg airport, which was over three million more passengers than in 2022. Overall, compared with the period before the coronavirus, the recovery is slower than at many other airports in Germany and abroad.
German domestic traffic at BER was around a third and European traffic was around 72 percent, owing to the uncompetitive location costs. By contrast, intercontinental traffic was at the same level as before the pandemic.
In comparison with the previous year, after adjustment for one-off property sales, operating profits increased by 15 percent to 495.5 m euros, with operating costs that were constant. Overall, because of the building history of BER airport, the financial situation of FBB remains tense. For 2023 the result was a consolidated annual deficit of 212.8 m euros and therefore, as expected, still a loss. However, after adjustment for the profits generated from property sales in the previous year, the consolidated loss in the financial year 2023 turned out to be significantly lower, by 31.4 million euros, than in the financial year 2022.
Aletta von Massenbach, Chief Executive Officer of Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH: “Despite the complex challenges in the financial year 2023, we achieved a good result that was above budget. As such, FBB is continuing on the path of financial consolidation. At the same time, with a view to further increases in passenger numbers in the future and a good range of services, FBB has been working intensively on further optimisation and development of BER. We will also continue to follow this path consistently in 2024.”
Jörg Simon, Supervisory Board Chairman of Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH:
“In the last financial year, the airport company made excellent progress. The company’s partial debt repayment is proceeding as planned. Advancing optimisation of passenger processes and of procedures on the aprons, as well as the focus on sustainability and climate protection, are important steps towards becoming a viable company for the future.”