June Opening of New Berlin Airport Delayed

German officials say the planned opening of Berlin’s new airport next month must be delayed because of fire safety issues.

The airport operator’s managing director Rainer Schwarz told reporters Tuesday that further safety checks of the new terminal buildings will be necessary to ensure its full functionality in case of a fire.

Mayor Klaus Wowereit says the city and neighboring Brandenburg state hope Willy Brandt Airport will now be opened in August.

The airport was meant to open June 3 and replace Berlin’s two aging airports Tegel and Schoenefeld, wrapping up another chapter in the reunification of the formerly divided city.

Brandenburg governor Matthias Platzeck says he is “really angry” and vowed a full investigation into the cause of the delay.