Airports in Dresden, Leipzig, Prague and Berlin: How early do I have to be there?

Chaos due to staff shortages: How early do I have to be at the airport now?

Due to a lack of staff, there is currently chaos at some airports in Germany. What to consider when departing from Dresden, Leipzig, Berlin and Prague – an overview.

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There is currently chaos at some airports in Germany. The airports in Frankfurt/Main and Düsseldorf are particularly affected. There are long lines at the security checkpoints. As a result, some passengers miss their flight even though they arrived several hours before departure.

The reason for the chaos is the shortage of staff at many German airports. Because during the corona pandemic, many skilled workers left or were no longer employed. Others are canceled due to a corona infection.

Travelers from Saxony often fly from the airports in Dresden or Leipzig/Halle. But a flight from Prague or Berlin is also an option for many holidaymakers.

What is the situation at these airports – do travelers expect long waiting times and chaotic conditions there as well? An overview.

Are the airports in Saxony affected by staff shortages?

If you fly directly from Leipzig/Halle or Dresden on holiday, you don’t have to worry. “We currently have no shortage of handling and service personnel,” says Arne Schwerin, spokesman for Mitteldeutsche Flughafen AG. So far there have been no significant effects on the processing time.

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At which airports should I expect longer waiting times?

The situation is not quite as relaxed Berlin-Brandenburg Airport (BER) “Willy Brandt”. “The pandemic and its consequences are still causing an exceptional situation in the entire aviation industry,” says Aletta von Massenbach, Chairwoman of the Management Board of BER. In the last few weeks and months, the airport company and its partners have prepared as best they can for the holiday season and the expected three million passengers. “Nevertheless, there will be occasional waiting times and delays,” said von Massenbach.

Am Vaclav Havel Airport Prague is missing according to the spokeswoman Klára Divíšková especially to staff at the security checkpoints. “However, there are no major complications at Prague Airport.” Check-in works as normal. “However, there may be longer queues as there is a lot going on now due to the holidays and public holidays,” he said Divíšková

How early must I be at the airport?

• Airport Dresden and Leipzig/Halle: “For tourist flights, be at the airport in good time, i.e. two hours before departure, and check in advance whether you have all the necessary travel and flight documents with you,” says Arne Schwerin.
• Prague Airport: Travelers who have booked flights within Europe should arrive at least two and a half hours before departure. Those traveling to a destination outside of Europe should arrive at least three hours in advance.
• Berlin Brandenburg Airport: During the summer holidays, passengers should be at the terminal two and a half hours before departure.

Parking at Prague Airport is limited

Due to the Czech Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers, the express parking lot in front of the departure hall at Terminal 2 (flights within the Schengen area) at Prague Airport will be temporarily closed from July 10 to 15. However, travelers can use the PB Economy car park in front of the departure hall at Terminal 2 and the express car park in front of Terminal 1.

Catch your flight with these tips

Airports have tips to help their travelers get to boarding as quickly and stress-free as possible.

Prague Airport recommends:

• Go to check-in immediately upon arrival at the airport.
• You can use the self-service kiosks.
• Be sure to check when boarding begins as the gate may close as early as 40 minutes before departure.

BER provides the following tips for a quick check-in on its website:

• BER advises passengers to check in online at home if their airlines offer this. Travelers can find out from their airline whether this is possible
• At BER, passengers can check in independently and check in their luggage themselves. Several airlines offer this service, either only for baggage check-in or additionally for printing boarding passes. The machines can be used from 3.30 a.m. on the day of departure. Holidaymakers can obtain information on this from their airline or online.
• From July 1st, easyJet passengers will also have the option of using the evening before bag drop and checking in their luggage for flights the following morning after checking in online. Lufthansa and Eurowings already offer check-in the evening before. Information on the evening before check-in can be found here.
• Checking in at the counter is still possible. Holidaymakers should have travel documents, 3G proof if necessary and entry documents for the respective destination country ready.
• After checking in at the terminal, travelers should go straight to security. The control points with the shortest waiting times are on site on the scoreboards as well as in the App and displayed on the airport website.

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The general rule: Holidaymakers should arrange their suitcases and bags in such a way that they can pass through security checks quickly and smoothly.

Electrical devices and the plastic bag with the liquids should be stowed in the bags in such a way that they can be easily unpacked during the check.

Travelers should also ensure that they have not packed any prohibited items: these include not only weapons but also weapon-like items.

Travelers may also be required to hand in squirt guns, a hand grenade-shaped perfume bottle, and a small garden rake. Read tips here.

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