Berlin Residents To Vote On Closure Of Historic Airport

Berlin residents will go to the polls on Sunday in a final attempt to save the historic airport of Tempelhof, that was used extensively during the Berlin Airlift. Tempelhof is due to be moth-balled in October of this year after passenger numbers and safety concerns were cited as the reason behind its proposed closure.

Supporters of the airport have reminded opponents of the rich history that the airport represents, and the Nazi-style architecure that is such an important part of history, as well as still being the largest building in Western Europe. The airport supporters have also ensured they quote the famous phrase used by the late John F Kennedy when defending the city during the cold war "Ich bin ein Berliner" to illustrate the airports historical significance.

Folowing the segregation of Germany into East and West after the Second World War the allied powers only had the option of three narrow air corridors to deliver food and supply's. They managed this amazing feet in the largest airlift in history that ran almost non-stop when Soviet blocks were put in place in 1948. Later that year the Soviet blockades were lifted however the airlift continued in case the blockades was repeated and the city was left cut-off.

There are many fond memories from the time. Children who are now grown up recall 'candy bombers' that parachuted sweets down from the aircraft to the children below made from the handkerchief's of the bomber pilots. Hope is that if the local residents come out in favour of keeping the airport open then there is little the government will be able to do to close it. Last week the conservative chancellor announced that she was in support of keeping Tempelhof open and supported the local residents.

Published by: Jon Vickery