Berlin says goodbye to Tempelhof Airport
Filed Under (Berlin Airports) by mcleare on 31-10-2008
Tagged Under : Berlin says goodbye to Tempelhof Airport
The people of Berlin came out in force on Thursday October 30th to say goodbye to Tempelhof Airport.
Just before midnight a Junkers Ju-52 plane and a DC-3 plane took off marking the last ever flights from the airport. Those unhappy with the closure of the airport used the occasion for one last protest.
The mayor of Berlin was among those in favor of closing the airport while others argued over the historical significance and wonderful unique design of the airport. The airport was built by the Nazis in the 2nd world war but became famous as the site where food was dropped for the people of Berlin by USA forces after the USSR blocked land access to the city.
In a referendum held in April over sixty percent of those polled were in favor of preserving the airport however numbers were not sufficient in order for the result to stand. Tempelhof airport is a protected building so can not be removed. It is unclear as of yet what will happen to the site.
There was a whiff of nostalgia in the air as the older residents of Berlin came out to pay tribute to an airport which had fond memories for them. The celebrities partied inside while the regular Joes stood outside in the rain.
Marina Piccolo who had worked in the airport café for over fourteen years spoke of her sorrow and anger at the airports closure.
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