New technical problems at much-delayed Berlin airport

New serious technical problems appeared at the construction of Berlin's long-delayed new airport, with risk of pushing back its opening date even later than the end of August 2018.

The German daily Der Tagesspiegel reported that the company contracted to build the Berlin Brandenburg Airport confirmed the facility should be completed by the end of August 2018, despite further deficiencies.

Airport Chief Engelbert Luetke plans to announce the specific opening date in three weeks.

According to the report, there are still significant safety deficiencies in the northern part of the passenger terminal, including technical problems in the airport's smoke control system, the sprinkler systems and the fire alarm system.

The new airport in southeastern Berlin was originally set to open in 2011. The opening date has been delayed about half a dozen times since then due to a myriad technical issues, including faulty fire doors and smoke removal systems.

Berlin was previously served by three airports: Tempelhof in the south, Tegel in the northwest and Schoenefeld on the southeastern fringe of the city in the former Soviet sector.

Tempelhof was closed in 2008, and the new, larger international airport located next to Schoenefeld is intended to replace the remaining two, which are due to close once it opens.