A grey Volkswagen Golf had been sitting in the parking lot of Berlin’s BER Airport for over a year, drawing attention due to its unusual story. It was finally removed today.
At first glance, it seemed like someone had simply forgotten their car, but the situation turned out to be far more complicated—the vehicle’s owner is a complete mystery.
The car, with Hannover plates, was parked in a prime spot directly in front of the airport terminal. This area is designated for short-term parking, where the first ten minutes are free, an hour costs 23 euros, and the daily rate skyrockets to 552 euros. Over time, the unpaid fees for this abandoned vehicle have reached a staggering 200,000 euros.
Inside the car, there are intriguing details—a half-full water bottle on the passenger seat, a protective strip hanging from the rear wiper, and pieces of paper stuck to the front windshield. All of this only deepens the mystery.
Who is responsible for the debt?
BER Airport confirms that they are aware of the situation, but the question of responsibility for the vehicle’s removal remains unresolved. The police argue that, since the car is not on a public road, the matter falls under the airport administration’s jurisdiction. Meanwhile, bureaucratic hurdles have delayed any swift resolution.
It’s possible that the car was stolen and abandoned in the parking lot, but the owner has yet to come forward. “Whether the debt can be collected depends on whether the owner is identified and if they have the necessary financial means,” the airport administration stated.
