Altitude

The Berlin Airlift was a significant episode in the beginnings of the Cold War, with American, British, and French aircrews flying hundreds of daily cargo flights to deliver essential supplies into a West Berlin blockaded by the Soviet Union.

Despite impossible odds, Berlin was sustained by air for 15 months from June 1948, with more than one third of flights being handled from Gatow Airport in the British sector of the beleaguered city. But what made the operation a success? What was the importance of ATC, and how did technical advances help lay the foundations for modern high intensity operations?

We mark the 75th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift with this very special episode of Altitude. NATS Heathrow Air Traffic Controller and aviation history lover, Adam Spink, speaks to retired Squadron Leader Garry Garrets, a man who flew on the Berlin Airlift as part of a celebrated 30-year RAF career. 

Hear the behind the scenes story of how the West Berlin was kept alive thanks to the most monumental airlift in history.