Messe Berlin draws conclusions from Tegel scandal: explosion in security costs!

Messe Berlin draws conclusions from Tegel scandal: explosion in security costs!

On August 12, 2025, Messe Berlin officially announced its withdrawal from the emergency accommodation for refugees at the former Tegel Airport. This end is part of a broader strategy to refocus on the trade fair's core business. How rbb24.de reported, the State Office for Refugee Affairs (LAF) was informed of this decision in July. Overall, the trade fair wants to gradually reduce its activities at the Tegel location.

The withdrawal does not come without accusations: There has been repeated criticism of cost control, especially of the high expenditure on the security service, which amounted to around 100 million euros in 2022 and 2023, as the World holds on. The Berlin Court of Auditors has complained that the invoices were not sufficiently checked, which means that the trade fair is accused of significant irregularities and a violation of public procurement law.

The largest refugee accommodation in Germany

With over 5,000 refugees temporarily housed in Tegel, the facility is the largest refugee accommodation in Germany. Currently almost 2,000 people still live there. The remaining refugees are expected to leave Tegel by the end of the year, as the accommodation is scheduled to be converted into a regular arrival center in 2026. Loud Daily Mirror The state of Berlin will continue to have to bear high expenses, with costs amounting to 298 million euros in 2023 alone.

Things are now getting tight for Messe Berlin. Although she will be responsible for dismantling the shelter, it seems unclear whether she will remain in charge of security during this phase. With the decision to no longer take part in further planning in Tegel, the trade fair shows a clear departure from a commitment that was characterized by financial lack of transparency and failures. Above all, due to a lack of audit routine, the high expenditure was never properly questioned, a situation for which both the state of Berlin and the trade fair are responsible.

Security service and cost control: A critical assessment

Another aspect that influenced the trade fair's decision is the reduced allowance for the security service. This was nine percent in 2025, after previously being higher at 15 percent. In addition, the trade fair was only commissioned by the LAF for a short period of three months, which made longer-term planning difficult.

What remains is a bad aftertaste regarding the handling of the Tegel project. Critics complain that the large sums of money were wasted without adequate control and that it was high time to optimize the awarding processes earlier. So while Messe Berlin is withdrawing, it remains unclear what will happen to the high costs and responsibility for the future of refugees in Berlin.