Berlin's airlift airport to close

Tempelhof Airport, which played a key role in the Berlin airlift after World War II, will close to passengers Oct. 31, 2008, Germany's top administrative court confirmed.

The court threw out a bid by airlines to prevent Tempelhof's closure as part of plans to expand Schoenefeld Airport, a former military airport on the city's outskirts, into Berlin-Brandenburg International Airport.

Several airline companies that use the centrally located Tempelhof Airport tried to block the closure.

After World War II left Berlin divided into east and west, Tempelhof became the hub of the yearlong, U.S.-led Berlin airlift when the Soviets blockaded West Berlin in 1948.