Willy Brandt

BER's namesake

The capital's airport is named after Willy Brandt (1913–1992), who is regarded as one of the most outstanding statesmen of the 20th century.

Willy Brandt Wall

Willy Brandt Wall

Giving his name to the capital’s airport acknowledges an internationally highly regarded politician who, as a German, European and world citizen, successfully advocated understanding among nations and the expansion of cross-border meetings like no other.

Leading figure in the unification process

Willy Brandt while entering the aircraft at Tempelhof

A dream came true for Willy Brandt on 9 November 1989 with the fall of the Wall and the downfall of the communist regimes in the East. His commentary on the border opening, which also refers to the whole of Europe, soon became a dictum for German-German unification: “Now what belongs together will grow together.”

Willy Brandt in Tempelhof

The national leader Brandt energetically supported the rebuilding of democracy in East Germany and the restoration of German unity in peace and freedom. 3 October 1990 was the highlight of his political career. The former chancellor remained closely linked with the German capital right until the end. He successfully campaigned for the seats of parliament and government to be moved to Berlin.

More than a chancellor

Peace, democracy and human rights

Willy Brandt and wife in 1959

Rich in history

Accompany Willy Brandt through his different phases of life and learn more about the namesake of the BER.

To the biography

Airport as gateway to the world

The name of Willy Brandt is symbolic of the fact that Berlin, thanks to BER, is again the East-West hub that connects Europe with the world – exactly as Willy Brandt had hoped.

Writing on the terminal on the airside
Airside Terminal 1 BER
Willy Brandt Wall
Willy Brandt Wall at BER

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