<strong>End of an era:</strong> Berlin's Tegel Airport, hated by some because of its cramped, shabby conditions, but loved by others for its charm and proximity to the city, is finally closing for good.
End of an era: Berlin's Tegel Airport, hated by some because of its cramped, shabby conditions, but loved by others for its charm and proximity to the city, is finally closing for good.
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<strong>Long goodbye:</strong> The airport's closure has been a long time coming. A decade of delays in opening Berlin's new Brandenburg Airport has ensured Tegel has been kept in service.
Long goodbye: The airport's closure has been a long time coming. A decade of delays in opening Berlin's new Brandenburg Airport has ensured Tegel has been kept in service.
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<strong>Corona comeback:</strong> Even Covid-19 couldn't finish off Tegel. Lockdowns because of the virus led authorities to prematurely declare its permanent closure over the summer. But it still came back for more.
Corona comeback: Even Covid-19 couldn't finish off Tegel. Lockdowns because of the virus led authorities to prematurely declare its permanent closure over the summer. But it still came back for more.
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<strong>Last flight:</strong> Tegel's closure will now come on November 8, when the last scheduled passenger flight -- an Air France service to Paris -- departs the airport.
Last flight: Tegel's closure will now come on November 8, when the last scheduled passenger flight -- an Air France service to Paris -- departs the airport.
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<strong>The joy of hex: </strong>Tegel's 1970s terminal building was designed around a series of hexagons that connected check-in desks directly to departure gates.
The joy of hex: Tegel's 1970s terminal building was designed around a series of hexagons that connected check-in desks directly to departure gates.
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<strong>Running out of space: </strong>The unique design made it hard to adapt as the airport began handling exponential increases in passenger numbers in the 1990s, leaving it crowded and cramped.
Running out of space: The unique design made it hard to adapt as the airport began handling exponential increases in passenger numbers in the 1990s, leaving it crowded and cramped.
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<strong>Near yet far:</strong> The airport's proximity to Berlin's center has made it popular for people who drive there, but its lack of metro station means its tricky to reach by public transport.
Near yet far: The airport's proximity to Berlin's center has made it popular for people who drive there, but its lack of metro station means its tricky to reach by public transport.
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<strong>A place in history: </strong>Tegel played a crucial role during the Berlin Airlift when the city was blockaded by Soviet forces and its long runway was needed to accommodate larger aircraft.
A place in history: Tegel played a crucial role during the Berlin Airlift when the city was blockaded by Soviet forces and its long runway was needed to accommodate larger aircraft.
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<strong>Walk the line:</strong> Due to Tegel's cramped set up, passengers were sometimes never sure whether the queue they were standing in would actually lead them to their flight.
Walk the line: Due to Tegel's cramped set up, passengers were sometimes never sure whether the queue they were standing in would actually lead them to their flight.
Kitty Logan
<strong>Time warp terminal: </strong>"Tegel's unique architecture and design make you feel like being time-warped into the 1970s," says frequent traveler Michael Stoffl, from Berlin. "The airport is tiny, especially when compared to other major capitals around the globe."<br />
Time warp terminal: "Tegel's unique architecture and design make you feel like being time-warped into the 1970s," says frequent traveler Michael Stoffl, from Berlin. "The airport is tiny, especially when compared to other major capitals around the globe."
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