An Era Ends with Closing of Berlin Airport

[v2]

The last passengers mill around the concourse, the baggage claim belt is at a standstill. After 85 years, Thursday is the last day flights will leave Germany's most famous airport. It once hosted Marlene Dietrich and the Beatles, but it will now give up the stage to a massive new international airport.

The air still reeks of jet fuel. "Hold your breath for as long as you can," Dieter Nickel tells his former colleague as they reach the rooftop of Berlin's Tempelhof Airport. He gazes out over the brightly lit airfield, where a rescue helicopter is landing. The rotors hum. Amateur pilots taxi their planes onto the runway and slowly take off, one after the other.

Nickel has worked here for 41 years. He directed design and construction. For the last few years the 70-year-old has also led visitors through Tempelhof. These are goodbye tours. On Thursday, Oct. 30, Tempelhof will turn out its lights for good.

After 85 years of service, Germany's best-known airport will pass into the dustbin of history -- despite protests by Berliners, despite prominent advocates like Chancellor Angela Merkel, American billionaire Ronald S. Lauder and journalist Michael S. Cullen. A tortured farewell, partly played out in German courts, is drawing to a close.

full story: Auf Wiedersehen Tempelhof: An Era Ends with Closing of Berlin Airport - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News - International

 

[Marcel]

I was there 2 years ago and have never been on a more quiet airport than that. Just a few people.

 

[CharlesBronson]

A shame really, here a picture of better times.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

The German people living in Berlin actual voted to keep the airport open as a museum. The Mayor however wants to tear it down.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

Why are they closing it?

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Why are they closing it?

I am not sure, but I believe it had to do with development around the Airport.

Tempelhof is no longer the main airport in
Berlin anyhow.

 

[Marcel]

It's in the middle of an urban area, not very well suitable for a major airport. As I said, a few years ago, there were hardly any passengers anymore. It was only open as a symbol, but not really practical. And with Tegel, they don't need tampelhof anymore.

 

[v2]

Auf Wiedersehen Tempelhof

Photo Gallery: Auf Wiedersehen Tempelhof - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News - International

 

[Njaco]

Thats a shame. With such a storied history, can they do a museum or some rememberance?

 

[Gnomey]

Yeah, it would be a great shame to see it go. It should be kept as a memorial rather than be destroyed with such a storied history as it has had.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

The people of Berlin voted to keep it as a memorial, but the city government wants to tear it down for development.

 

[Airframes]

Damn shame that at least one part can't be kept - museum, themed hotel or whatever, as they did with the original Liverpool airport. If you look at the pics that V2 posted, those showing the terminal and apron in 1928 from the air, it was way ahead of it's time. I can't think of another airport that has a covered area on the ramp where aircrtaft unload.
Accepting the drawbacks, as it's now in a built-up area, and Tegel is doing the job, it should still have something preserved, even if only to remember the Air Lift.

 

[fly boy]

if they actually tear it down I am going over there to kick some major A