A major water main break triggered extensive rescue operations at the disused Berlin-Tegel Airport (TXL) on Monday night. According to the Berlin Fire Department, an estimated 20.000 cubic meters of water leaked from the basement of the former Terminal A.
Emergency responders found that the water in the basement levels was up to 50 centimeters deep in some places. To ensure the safety of the emergency personnel and prevent short circuits, the power supply to terminals A and B had to be completely shut off. The pumping operations continued well into the night before the facility could be handed back over to the operator at around 02:30 a.m.
The incident occurred at a time when the former airport site was undergoing a significant transition. The emergency refugee shelter located there, which was at one time one of the largest facilities of its kind in Germany, was only officially closed at the turn of the year 2025/2026. The affected terminals have remained largely empty since then, while preparations are underway for their long-term reuse as part of the "Urban Tech Republic" project. Tegel Airport ceased regular flight operations on November 8, 2020, but the technical infrastructure of the existing buildings still requires maintenance and preservation due to the continued partial use and safety measures.
Further research into the site's infrastructure highlights the complexity of repairing the damage to the listed concrete structures. Because the utility networks in the basement levels of the hexagonal main terminal are closely integrated with the rest of the building's technical systems, extensive inspections of the electrical installations and the building structure are now necessary. Experts point out that pipe bursts in disused or only partially used large buildings are often caused by material fatigue or insufficient circulation. The resulting property damage cannot yet be quantified, but is likely to be considerable given the enormous volume of water and the necessary drying measures.
Berlin Real Estate Management GmbH (BIM) and Tegel Projekt GmbH now face the task of technically assessing the affected areas to prevent delays in the planned development of the site. A research and industrial park, as well as the "Schumacher Quartier" residential complex, are slated for construction on the site in the coming years. The recent incident underscores the challenges associated with preserving and converting the aging airport infrastructure. While the fire department successfully completed its immediate response, the repair of the basement utility lines will likely require the involvement of additional specialist companies.