15.02.2025 12:40
A vehicle parked in the parking lot of Berlin Brandenburg Airport in Germany has been waiting for its owner to come and pick it up for months. Despite various efforts by the parking management and authorities to locate the owner, no results have been achieved yet. While the vehicle continues to occupy the parking space, there is growing curiosity about what the parking management will do. The parking fees for the mysterious vehicle have exceeded 200,000 euros.
At Berlin's Brandenburg Airport, the capital of Germany, a long-abandoned vehicle has drawn attention. The Volkswagen Golf with Hannover license plates has accumulated parking fees exceeding 200,000 euros. German authorities have no idea whether this is a case of forgetfulness, a car belonging to a deceased owner, or a vehicle abandoned after theft.
Those living in a big city know how difficult it is to find parking and how expensive it can be to resort to garages, even for short stops. The same can often be said by those who frequently travel to airports for business, as fees are often adjusted according to demand. However, one thing is certain: the consequences of leaving your vehicle in short-term parking areas, designed for dropping off passengers and luggage, or in areas called "kiss & go," can be unimaginably significant.
VEHICLE APPEARS TO BE URGENTLY ABANDONED
In Berlin, airport officials noticed an abandoned Golf vehicle right across from the main entrance, which no one has come to collect. The situation has been ongoing for over a year, and the fifth-generation diesel Golf with Hannover plates has taken root with aftermarket wheels and even a tow hitch. Inside, as if someone left in a hurry, there are scattered remnants of lunch, food wrappers, a half-full water bottle, and a detail that adds to the mystery: a piece of tape used for construction wrapped around the rear wipers.
DAILY FEES HAVE ACCUMULATED TO REACH 200,000 EUROS
What is surprising is that no one has still been able to find the owner; their goal is not just to remove the car but to inform about the total cost of parking fees. The parking area is actually free for the first 10 minutes, but each additional hour costs 23 euros, amounting to 552 euros per day. A quick calculation shows that after a year, the total cost exceeds 200,000 euros, which is a very difficult amount to recover, especially since the owner's identity has not yet been determined and it is unclear whether they have the necessary financial resources.
AN UNSOLVABLE MYSTERY
As the media and authorities discuss the case, one possibility is that the Golf was stolen and used as a getaway vehicle, with the plates changed. Another possibility is that the owner has passed away. However, the likelihood of forgetfulness is quite weak, as this is not a long-term parking area, and while it is common for different types of vehicles to be abandoned here, they could later be auctioned off. This Golf, however, seems to be staying at Berlin Brandenburg Airport until at least a decision is made regarding its fate. It does not appear to pose a security risk, and who knows, maybe in a few years, it will become a popular tourist attraction and a backdrop for travelers taking selfies.